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

[clownfish1452]

Room service is 2 TS credits on the regular DDP I think. I do think it is still included on the Platinum plan though.

Happy planning!

Thanks I do have the premium plan and it is included. But thank you for the waning.

Thanks
Sarah

 

[hmp2z]

Thank you for the good wishes - we are excited. I spoke with the Platinum Plan IPO person who's been our contact today, to ask her to put in the request for the room we stayed in on our wedding night & then the following anniversary trips: 4421. But someone has already checked into this room and will be there until August 12! We made a secondary request, but then I was thinking that I can't imagine going to WDW and spending 3 weeks at the same resort. I would have to break it up, with maybe 1 week each at 3 different deluxes.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you so much! I had no idea there was a new Grand 1?! That would explain why we were told it takes 18 people. DH and I thought the CM just had it wrong with the new booking policy. We also had to book a 2 hour slot ($900 EEK!) through WDW and then contact the marina to reduce it to 1 hour. OMG, we're even more excited now. The CM did tell me to check out the yacht online but as we've done it before a few times, I didn't pay much attention. You have really made my day thank you!

I am just curious....for maybe Thanksgiving??? I know I will probably need to be right and ready with the info to make that call.

Anyway, how far out can the Grand 1 be booked?? Is it still 90 days? Last time it was booked by IPO for me and they had a tough tough time getting ahold of anybody to book it for them. Who did you contact to book the Grand? Did you have success right away or leave a message?? SOS!! I remember it took me and IPO over a week to find out if it was available and then it was phone tag w/ the marina.

Are you doing a Wishes cruise? That's what I'd like to do again so I'd only like the one hour also. Did you already get it worked out/down to one hour or is that something you do directly before you board?

It is really neat doing the Wishes cruise, but honestly I think and hour is perfect. Any more is just overkill for me. There's only so far you can go on those little lakes. The new yacht looks beautiful - we saw it sitting in the marina a lot while we were there earlier this month. The CMs all said it is and much "grander"....this one puts the old Grand to shame.

Have a ball & thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

Lives4Disney

 

[Kona*Queen]

I am just curious....for maybe Thanksgiving??? I know I will probably need to be right and ready with the info to make that call.

Anyway, how far out can the Grand 1 be booked?? Is it still 90 days? Last time it was booked by IPO for me and they had a tough tough time getting ahold of anybody to book it for them. Who did you contact to book the Grand? Did you have success right away or leave a message?? SOS!! I remember it took me and IPO over a week to find out if it was available and then it was phone tag w/ the marina.

Are you doing a Wishes cruise? That's what I'd like to do again so I'd only like the one hour also. Did you already get it worked out/down to one hour or is that something you do directly before you board?

It is really neat doing the Wishes cruise, but honestly I think and hour is perfect. Any more is just overkill for me. There's only so far you can go on those little lakes. The new yacht looks beautiful - we saw it sitting in the marina a lot while we were there earlier this month. The CMs all said it is and much "grander"....this one puts the old Grand to shame.

Have a ball & thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

Lives4Disney

Yes, we're doing a Wishes cruise. It's still 90 days, but now has to be booked through WDW PLAY. I also asked IPO to book it and they told me they couldn't do it any longer. I guess it was hard work, we've had the same experience as you in the past. It is now on the CM's screen to book with the other firework cruises. DH was on the phone at 7am to make sure we got it.

It was much easier to than the old system, but the CM's only have a 2 hour slot available for the Wishes booking on their screen. I thought the same, that 2 hours is a little too long. The CM had a note on her screen to 'call the marina for any other length of time or any time that isn't a firework cruise'. We decided to book the 2 hour slot straight away to secure it. DH then called the marina number she gave us, 407 824 2439 at 10am when they opened and spoke to a CM there to adjust to one hour. They said no problem! I can't wait to see the new yacht!

I also asked about the cabanas and was told nothing booking past Sept. as yet, to call back in a week and they may have made a decision as to whether they'll be renting them for October.

Thanks for all your help. DD just has to decide what cake she wants now and we're all set!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yes, we're doing a Wishes cruise. It's still 90 days, but now has to be booked through WDW PLAY. I also asked IPO to book it and they told me they couldn't do it any longer. I guess it was hard work, we've had the same experience as you in the past. It is now on the CM's screen to book with the other firework cruises. DH was on the phone at 7am to make sure we got it.

It was much easier to than the old system, but the CM's only have a 2 hour slot available for the Wishes booking on their screen. I thought the same, that 2 hours is a little too long. The CM had a note on her screen to 'call the marina for any other length of time or any time that isn't a firework cruise'. We decided to book the 2 hour slot straight away to secure it. DH then called the marina number she gave us, 407 824 2439 at 10am when they opened and spoke to a CM there to adjust to one hour. They said no problem! I can't wait to see the new yacht!

I also asked about the cabanas and was told nothing booking past Sept. as yet, to call back in a week and they may have made a decision as to whether they'll be renting them for October.

Thanks for all your help. DD just has to decide what cake she wants now and we're all set!

THANKS for all the great info. I am going to wait for the right moment to fun it buy DH, lol.

I think it's odd that IPO can't secure the Grand 1 for concierge guests. It seems like they are doing less and less. This will be our first nonconcierge stay at the GF. I love the onsite RPC CMs, but haven't had super luck with the IPO. Very inconsistant.


Lives4Disney

 

[hmp2z]

I think it's odd that IPO can't secure the Grand 1 for concierge guests.

This was another one of our huge issues with IPO. No one at the Grand 1 number would return our calls, and IPO said that they couldn't get anyone either. Kind of defeats the purpose of having IPO, if the guests have to do all the calling!

I will say, though, that the woman they've put us in touch with now, who is on the Platinum plan IPO staff, not the GF IPO staff, is very good. She returns calls & e-mails promptly, and she does what she says she'll do.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

Were they rehabbing your building? I thought this was supposed to be a "soft" rehab, so it would be quiet? We're checking in this Saturday morning, and I know they're currently rehabbing the building we're in (main building), so I'm concerned about noise issues.

Hmm...

Cheers!
Heather W

Yes, it was our building but i couldn't exactly figure out what part of it. It was all sectioned off so you really couldn't see what was going on but it was in front of rooms a few doors down from us. There couldn't have been anyone in those rooms because there was absolutely no view of anything other then the construction.

Heather, you'll be in Heaven no matter what when you get there. Nothing can really spoil your stay unless the building were to go up in flames.

 

[livinthedisneydream]

This was another one of our huge issues with IPO. No one at the Grand 1 number would return our calls, and IPO said that they couldn't get anyone either. Kind of defeats the purpose of having IPO, if the guests have to do all the calling!

I will say, though, that the woman they've put us in touch with now, who is on the Platinum plan IPO staff, not the GF IPO staff, is very good. She returns calls & e-mails promptly, and she does what she says she'll do.

Cheers!
Heather W

Oh Heather, I'm so glad you're having luck w/the platinum IPO. Ours (we found out after) was leaving the position so she was no help at all. We actually did a split BWI/GF platinum stay over Memorial Weekend. It was just hubby and I and it was fantastic! Since we go to the parks a lot with the kids, we decided to do things we don't normally do. The nice thing about the split stay was that we "doubled up" on the fireworks cruises, massages, cirque tix, and "gift". We also did V&A which was FANTASTIC, segway tour (also great), Epcot Aqua seas, Mickey's magical milestones, Keys to the Kingdom, parasailing, minigolf. It was busy, but wonderful. How long are you going and what do you have planned? I'll have to live vicariously until our next trip. Also, I'm avoiding starting my vow renewal trip report until the kids are in bed! Have a great time!!!! Lisa

also, we had room 4321 which was great too! When I spoke with the person in executive booking (for our 2 comp nights) he said they were done with the 5th floor and going to the 3rd maybe. I hope they will give you great service this time. We didn't do RPC on Platinum, it was really too much food. I don't know if you've done it before but unlike the dining plan where there are cs and snacks, with the Platinum they are all just credits so any meal anywhere was one credit. Basically, you could've eaten at Victoria and Alberts four times a day if you were able to! We had too many credits at the end and bought 7 lunches from GF room service that had a sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and drink all in an adorable green insulated cooler bag w/GF logo on it. We gave some to our towncar driver and basically brought the fruit, chips and bags home to give to family

 

[princessesrule4]

regarding where/how to check in for Club level guests?

I just received an email from Contemporary Concierge IPO about how and where to check in for the Atrium Club for our short stay next month! I'm so glad they are doing this since we've never stayed Atrium Club before!

We just stayed RPC at GF in June but didn't receive info about the check in process. I heard about it here on the GF thread but we still had to wander around a bit before we saw the podium next to the entrance! I wonder if they are sending this email out because of the new curbside check in or since we've never stayed Atrium Club before?

Anyone receive a similar email from GF?

 

[hmp2z]

We're checking in this Saturday, and we haven't been contacted at all by the GF. The BC sent us a concierge form letter, asking us to fill in the reservations that we wanted when we stayed there in January. But we've got reservations for club level rooms at the BWI & the GF for this stay, and haven't gotten any paper mail or e-mail. Not a big deal, since I just call the IPO, but it was a nice gesture when the BC sent us the mailer.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[dingoballs]

We're checking in this Saturday, and we haven't been contacted at all by the GF. The BC sent us a concierge form letter, asking us to fill in the reservations that we wanted when we stayed there in January. But we've got reservations for club level rooms at the BWI & the GF for this stay, and haven't gotten any paper mail or e-mail. Not a big deal, since I just call the IPO, but it was a nice gesture when the BC sent us the mailer.

Cheers!
Heather W

Nice to know that the GF isn't the only deluxe resort with inconsistent customer service...

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thought this was interesting from one of the AllEarsNet blogs - sign up in the lobby of the GF: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/gf289.jpg

 

[princessesrule4]

I like the idea of the sign- the CM's were probably getting so many questions about the rehab! Thanks for the link Tinkaroo!

 

[jenins121681]

Hi,
Does anyone know if you need reservations for the tea at the GF?

Also, I have another quick question....turns out that I have to have surgery this month (we almost had to cancel our disney trip ) But anyway our trip will be about 6 weeks after my surgery so I probably won't be able to ride some of the more exciting rides....Does anyone know if it is possible to wait in line with my husband and then not ride the ride but wait for him at the end? Thanks.

 

[dingoballs]

Hi,
Does anyone know if you need reservations for the tea at the GF?

Also, I have another quick question....turns out that I have to have surgery this month (we almost had to cancel our disney trip ) But anyway our trip will be about 6 weeks after my surgery so I probably won't be able to ride some of the more exciting rides....Does anyone know if it is possible to wait in line with my husband and then not ride the ride but wait for him at the end? Thanks.

Yes, you should definitely make reservations for tea because it's very popular!

And yes, there is a "chicken exit" at every thrill ride so you'll be able to stand in line with someone, then exit at the boarding area...

 

[kgc07]

We returned from our first stay at the GF in the Sugar Loaf building. Reading this board before our trip was very helpful. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed by the way some of the guests were allowed to behave in the lounge. There we people actually standing at the offering table (with their bath robes on) eating the food with their fingers over the table. This happened pretty much every evening we were in the lounge. It made me not want to eat anything after seeing this. I would have thought a CM would have said something to them, but they didn't.

 

[dingoballs]

We returned from our first stay at the GF in the Sugar Loaf building. Reading this board before our trip was very helpful. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed by the way some of the guests were allowed to behave in the lounge. There we people actually standing at the offering table (with their bath robes on) eating the food with their fingers over the table. This happened pretty much every evening we were in the lounge. It made me not want to eat anything after seeing this. I would have thought a CM would have said something to them, but they didn't.

I noticed the same thing at the 4th floor lounge in the Main Bldg. There were kids picking up food items & putting them back, while the CMs did not seem to notice or care and the parents were oblivious...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,
Does anyone know if you need reservations for the tea at the GF?

Also, I have another quick question....turns out that I have to have surgery this month (we almost had to cancel our disney trip ) But anyway our trip will be about 6 weeks after my surgery so I probably won't be able to ride some of the more exciting rides....Does anyone know if it is possible to wait in line with my husband and then not ride the ride but wait for him at the end? Thanks.

Hi, I am sorry to hear you have to have surgery. I hope everything turns out alright and you feel better soon.

I would def make a reservation for the tea if you want to do that.

When just my DH and DD and I went in May, DH was in conferences all day and DD and I ventured out. I am a ride chicken so never go on certain things that DD loves. I waited with her for all her thrill rides and then a CM showed me where I'd meet her right as she got off. It worked out fine and boy - that made me realize how SHORT some of the rides are, haha. It's different when I am outside shopping etc and DH takes the kids on and they meet me after.

Feel better soon & have a wonderful vacation!

kgc07 oh, ya. I heard that goes on in SL. I have not seen it in RPC - not to say it doesn't happen, but I haven't seen it during our visits. The CMs SHOULD say something. They all know gross stuff goes on. THey should put a stop to it. Poly is where I've seen the guest behave the worst & get away with it.

Lives4Disney

 

[jenins121681]

Thank you for the tips, I will definately make reservations for the tea....since I heard it is really good and I really want to do it. I never knew about the "chicken" exit.....I am the type to go on anything no matter how crazy it is...but I guess it will come in handy. Thanks again for all the tips.

 

[diselderm]

Speaking of the tea in the lounge (Garden View lounge?), has anyone ever seen a birthday celebrated there? I was thinking about celebrating DD's 6th birthday there instead of 1900 PF after reading about Lives4disney's DD's experience there on her birthday.

Any thoughts on that from anyone?

Thanks for posting the link to the rehab sign Tinkaroo (I think it was you). I guess that means that decor is likely to be throughout the resort. Oh well...