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

[Kona*Queen]

As Brits (that never eat at the Rose and Crown or buy fish and chips from the window ) we always tip at least 18%, usually 20% as we have the DDE card.

Personally, I would rather see them automatically add 18% to every table service menu, no matter what the party size. If they printed it on the bottom of the menus and then on the bill, there wouldn't be that awkwardness many people feel. Guests would then have to make a point of getting it removed for bad service and the few servers that have the 'they're Brits, let's not bother treating them properly' attitude from the minute they hear our accents, would have to make more of an effort!

We have often seen an instant change of attitude from servers when we let them know we have a DDE card, because they know then that we're regular visitors and 'know the system'.

 

[johnsonet]

Disney employs its own mystery shoppers. I knew a woman who worked at one of Disney's restaurants who got this job. I think it's a very coveted job, not so much for the pay but for the hours and, I guess, perks

I also know CMs at some of the high end restaurants lobbied to have the gratuity removed from the DDP. There can be many problems w/ the DDP and once the dust settles on a dinner, the guests are often so put out that the server's tip suffers for it. Let's say the diner turns out to have fewer credits that he thinks and blows it out on food and wine, thinking the meal is already paid for. The restaurant has to spend time and energy explaining the entire situation to the guest , a manager usually gets involved, which takes him or her away from his or her other duties, and the whole meal ends on a sour note for the diner. Apparently it often causes a lot of problems. I was told that the Cm's WANTED the automatic gratuity removed. I was told this by a manager of one of Disney's top restaurants. Not sure about every restaurant but for the signature restaurants, for sure.

 

[dingoballs]

As Brits (that never eat at the Rose and Crown or buy fish and chips from the window ) we always tip at least 18%, usually 20% as we have the DDE card.

Personally, I would rather see them automatically add 18% to every table service menu, no matter what the party size. If they printed it on the bottom of the menus and then on the bill, there wouldn't be that awkwardness many people feel. Guests would then have to make a point of getting it removed for bad service and the few servers that have the 'they're Brits, let's not bother treating them properly' attitude from the minute they hear our accents, would have to make more of an effort!

We have often seen an instant change of attitude from servers when we let them know we have a DDE card, because they know then that we're regular visitors and 'know the system'.

Just curious... why haven't you ever eaten at the Rose & Crown or the fish & chips?

 

[Kona*Queen]

Just curious... why haven't you ever eaten at the Rose & Crown or the fish & chips?

We tried the fish and chips once, they were disgusting, nowhere near as good as we get at home. The menu at R&C doesn't appeal to us. We just prefer places like Citrico's and Flying Fish.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We tried the fish and chips once, they were disgusting, nowhere near as good as we get at home. The menu at R&C doesn't appeal to us. We just prefer places like Citrico's and Flying Fish.

That's interesting, Kona Queen. Rose & Crown's not our favorite restaurant either, but DH was born in London -he left for the US when he was 9, but still we go for his fish and chips (it's is only f & c he gets so nothing to compare it to anymore) although the last few visits they have been soggy and nastier than even before AND the portion has shrunk to almost nothing and he's not a super big eater, either. I ordered bangers and mash and I liked it. go figure. I used to love the cottage pie at R & C, but sadly it is no more. I am not a beer drinker AT ALL only at R & C. I LOVE the beer there. I always think of British people as being super duper polite and proper. You guys also have my favorite Morrissey and DS's favorite Radiohead. And many more music faves!!


OK!!!! QUESTION....I have read alot of threads about planning and more planning but I have made my Nov ADRs and the Segway is booked for DH and DS and BBB for DDs.....what can I do til then? What is all this constant planning/spread sheet stuff people are talking about?? Some people act like it's just an ongoing/continuing process planning their trips in the distant future. I have no clue what to do to kill the time between now and Nov other than book an October trip, haha. Are you guys like the perpetual planners I read about??? Tell me how you do it, please.

Happy Saturday,

Lives4Disney

 

[magical4us4]

Lives4disney,

Hi! I see you have been very busy on here!!! I have been away at our summer house and have been enjoying everyone's planning on here. I am super jealous!!!

Well, our January plans are underway and I have spoke to a wonderful CM that has assured me that the rooms at the GF are "Fantastic"!!! We are super excited and can't wait to return to see the new renovations that have taken place.

As for all who have upcoming trips....hope your vacations are super magical .

Lives.....hope one day we will meet up also. Maybe you might have a January trip planned????

 

[jenins121681]

That's interesting, Kona Queen. Rose & Crown's not our favorite restaurant either, but DH was born in London -he left for the US when he was 9, but still we go for his fish and chips (it's is only f & c he gets so nothing to compare it to anymore) although the last few visits they have been soggy and nastier than even before AND the portion has shrunk to almost nothing and he's not a super big eater, either. I ordered bangers and mash and I liked it. go figure. I used to love the cottage pie at R & C, but sadly it is no more. I am not a beer drinker AT ALL only at R & C. I LOVE the beer there. I always think of British people as being super duper polite and proper. You guys also have my favorite Morrissey and DS's favorite Radiohead. And many more music faves!!


OK!!!! QUESTION....I have read alot of threads about planning and more planning but I have made my Nov ADRs and the Segway is booked for DH and DS and BBB for DDs.....what can I do til then? What is all this constant planning/spread sheet stuff people are talking about?? Some people act like it's just an ongoing/continuing process planning their trips in the distant future. I have no clue what to do to kill the time between now and Nov other than book an October trip, haha. Are you guys like the perpetual planners I read about??? Tell me how you do it, please.

Happy Saturday,

Lives4Disney

I've been keeping myself busy by making a packing list, a restaurant spread sheet, and a calendar. I make them on Excel and add pics they come out really nice. For instance I made a chart of all the restaurants that are on the dining plan (that we would be interested in going to) and listed them by location and what they offer (table service, snacks etc..) Also I made a calendar (also on Excel)of the days we will be there and put all of our tour info and our ADR info on there as well as listed all the extra magic hours...that way I can just stick it in our backpack and all of our important reservation info is right there. I am a little crazy when it comes to the planning I have a file folder with dividers that I keep all of our info in (like plane info, reservation and rental car info etc..) it keeps it all organized and in one place...my DH thinks I am NUTS!! Any way i am running out of things to do now....guess I will just have to start packing ....

 

[latinqt]

Does anyone have the e-mail address for the IPO in RPC? I'd like to send a note. Thanks.

 

[latinqt]

Never mind I finally found it.

 

[puggymom]

hey GF experts, I just booked a Deluxe RPC room today for next August for my goddaughter and me (doing a split stay with DVC).

This is my first GF stay, and I have been searching for pics on the deluxe room, but the search function is not helpful.

Does anybody here have pics of the deluxe room?

I am really looking forward to trying GF.

TIA

 

[DisneyNotes]

I am staying in a Deluxe RPC room next month. I'll get some pictures of the refurbished room. Congrats on your reservation. We love the GF. It's very special.

 

[triplefigs]

What room category would DS be able to see the Monorail? Trying to book an April trip tonight!

 

[puggymom]

I am staying in a Deluxe RPC room next month. I'll get some pictures of the refurbished room. Congrats on your reservation. We love the GF. It's very special.

Wow what great service, thank you and have a wonderful time.

 

[Timon_n_Pumba]

What room category would DS be able to see the Monorail? Trying to book an April trip tonight!

Hey Triplefigs!

I would think that Sago Cay would have a pretty clear view of the monorail on the lagoon side. DW and I stayed in a dormer GV room in Sago the last time we were at GF and the track is pretty close.

Also, Big Pine Cay, Lagoon View (at the end near the summer house) would seem to have a good view of the track between Poly and the GF.

Thanks for the info you sent re SL concierge---we're looking forward to it!

Best Regards,

Scott in MO

 

[arbonnette]

puggymom

Can I ask you how far in advance you booked your deluxe room for next month? I tried this week to book one for Feb. '08, but no luck. I booked standard RPC instead.
I was wondering how far ahead you booked because I am trying to plan for my NEXT trip. Haha.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DisneyNotes]

Actually, I'm the one that is booked in the Deluxe RPC for next month. I reserved the room the first week of January, so I guess that's about 8 1/2 months out. We usually book earlier and I was worried, but it worked out fine.

 

[arbonnette]

I am sorry about that, DisneyNotes. Thank you for your reply. I knew six months wouldn't be early enough, but at least we got standard RPC.

Enjoy your trip! We will be awaiting your photos!

 

[DisneyNotes]

The room type that you have booked is lovely. Our last trip to the GF was in a standard RPC room with a Magic Kingdom view and an oversized balcony. It was spectacular. I'm sure it will be even better now with the new furnishings.

Don't you worry. I will take a zillion photos of everything. I love to take photos. I love to arrange them on my computer. I love to label them and look at them and share them. I'm just not sure how and where to do that on this forum. If I can't figure it out, I'll call in my teenagers for backup.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Calling all the GF experts regardng room requests...

Awihle ago I had posted a question regarding what room location etc I should request and got helpful suggestions... well ofcourse now I think I left a few things out and given what I am reading about rehab etc I wanted to once again enlist your help if I may on what type of room location/building I should request and soem other room specific questions.

The specifics, we are going for 5nights mid September and have a Garden View room type ( I only wish it was conciege level... but alas I am happy that it is GF!). There will be 4 of us 2 adults and our twins who will be celebrating their 4th B'day. Space is always essential to us... so a roomier (?)room is important (i guess it is to everyone). Back many pages on this thread I saw a room that had a sitting alcove... I am assuming this was RPC or similiar... does anything like this exist for the garden view room folks?

I am hoping to minimize walking as I have a bad back, so if there is such a thing as close to the monorail and also the pool that would be nice... but am I sacrificing anything on view here? Is it possible to see the fireworks at all from any garden view room type or the water parade...? If so where?

My other question pertains to the bedding set-up, originally I thought I wanted a king with a sofabed (for the twins). Now I am not sure.. is 2 queens with a daybed a better option and will that allow us more space?

Are there patios/balcony on ground floor views... what are your thoughts on the ground floor rooms?

Should I ask for a new refurb room or it really doesn't matter.

And lastly (I think) ... can anyone point me to a link with a layout of GF?

Thanks so much... This thread has been so wonderful for me and given me such great info (we booked a cabana thanks to this thread) etc...

Oh... on a related matter, how soon/late should I call GF bakery for Slippers for our dinner at Narcossee's also to have a treat dish made with mini castle cake for our room one afternoon... (any favorites on what to include with the cake as a mid afternoon treat?)

THANK YOU all so much!

Best,

 

[krbq]

hey GF experts, I just booked a Deluxe RPC room today for next August for my goddaughter and me (doing a split stay with DVC).

This is my first GF stay, and I have been searching for pics on the deluxe room, but the search function is not helpful.

Does anybody here have pics of the deluxe room?

I am really looking forward to trying GF.

TIA

For the time being, the search function only works when you change your colors to California Gold. You can do that using the dropdown list at the bottom of the page. Apparently they're working on the problem -- it's been discussed over on the Technical boards. It worked for me. Good luck!