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

[tenbelow]

Put my vote in for Narcoossee...It is my DH and I favorite restaurant at WDW! They are consistant with the quality of food and we never leave hungry! The drinks are fabulous and you can see the EWP from either your seat or the patio. Check out both menus and see what you might like best!

Thanks for your input - I couldn't make up my mind so I made ADR's for both Narcoossee and Citricos.

At Narcoossee's I'm going to have a hard time deciding between the Snapper, Scallops, Chicken Breast (okay - agreed we don't go to seafood restaurant to order chicken, but the corn ragout and white truffle mash sound soooo good), Red Pepper Risotto, and last but not least the Filet & Lobster Tail...

 

[tete01830]

When we were there in May, my DH and I had the calamari, cesar salad (to die for) and we both had the surf and turf.... You could cut the filet with a fork!!! I asked for the fingerling potatoes instead and I still dream of them! Cant wait to go in October!!!

 

[tenbelow]

I remember reading a while back that the GF gave tours on certain mornings of the week to those who were interested, but they did not "publicize" this information.

Does anyone know if they are still giving these tours of the GF and/or the usual day(s) of the week and time of the tour?

Thanks!

 

[tenbelow]

When we were there in May, my DH and I had the calamari, cesar salad (to die for) and we both had the surf and turf.... You could cut the filet with a fork!!! I asked for the fingerling potatoes instead and I still dream of them! Cant wait to go in October!!!

All this talk of food is giving me, what I think Pooh Bear would call a "rumbly tummy"!

Have a great trip in October! When my DW and I are at the GF we're always on

Mike

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for your input - I couldn't make up my mind so I made ADR's for both Narcoossee and Citricos.

At Narcoossee's I'm going to have a hard time deciding between the Snapper, Scallops, Chicken Breast (okay - agreed we don't go to seafood restaurant to order chicken, but the corn ragout and white truffle mash sound soooo good), Red Pepper Risotto, and last but not least the Filet & Lobster Tail...

Mike, Narcoosees seems to be a favorite with this thread. I have not tried it yet because I am not a seafood fan but I heard from Heatherlynn and others that their filets are fabulous. So, we booked it for the night before Thanksgiving. Yay...gonna give it a try.

We have eaten at Citricos twice and the first time it was absolutely wonderful.... So we were very excited to have it booked again on another trip. The second time was a big letdown, so I don't know what to tell you about Citricos. My whole family agreed it was very very different experience the second time around and we aren't in any hurry to return. It was Xmas Eve, they were busy & loud, but that really doesn't excuse the awful service (it seemed the waiter was really put out to be there - and maybe he was, but it showed) and the fairly icky tasteless food. Can't fully recommend it. It seems inconsistancy is the name of the game at WDW all around.

I have no idea about your AAA / MYW issue. I always book room only because we have APs.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,

We leave tomorrow for our first time ever staying at the GF!!! Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated, also.....anything we should put on our "have to see" list. TIA

Oooo! Have a WONDERFUL time!!

Hm.....have to see????....maybe the Cinderella Castle suite?? Hope you win a night there!!!



Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[tenbelow]

Mike, Narcoosees seems to be a favorite with this thread. I have not tried it yet because I am not a seafood fan but I heard from Heatherlynn and others that their filets are fabulous. So, we booked it for the night before Thanksgiving. Yay...gonna give it a try.

We have eaten at Citricos twice and the first time it was absolutely wonderful.... So we were very excited to have it booked again on another trip. The second time was a big letdown, so I don't know what to tell you about Citricos. My whole family agreed it was very very different experience the second time around and we aren't in any hurry to return. It was Xmas Eve, they were busy & loud, but that really doesn't excuse the awful service (it seemed the waiter was really put out to be there - and maybe he was, but it showed) and the fairly icky tasteless food. Can't fully recommend it. It seems inconsistancy is the name of the game at WDW all around.

I have no idea about your AAA / MYW issue. I always book room only because we have APs.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Thanks for the review on Citricos - I'm sorry to hear that your service and meal the second time around were not as they should have been. After reading about some of the FAQ's on the DDP thread regarding how the server's get a built in 18% gratuity (for Disney owned restaurants) I can't help but wonder if that leads to lack of caring in some individuals, due to the fact that they are going to get their tip on most checks whether or not the provide friendly service.

I have noticed in some of the other reviews I read that the service and/or food can be hit or miss - not something I want to encounter, especially since I won't be on the DDP or have a DDE card.

I have Narcoossee's booked for the Sunday we arrival and our Citrico's ADR is for Friday - if we have a great time at Narcoossee's, I'll likely switch my Friday ADR to a repeat of greatness at Narcoossee's.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Trip!

 

[BearHawk]

I see in the room decription that each standard room has a mini bar. Is this sep. from the frig.?, included in cost of room? Thanks!

 

[jenins121681]

Oooo! Have a WONDERFUL time!!

Hm.....have to see????....maybe the Cinderella Castle suite?? Hope you win a night there!!!



Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

OMG I think I would just Die if that happened!! Highly unlikely ..... but you never know

 

[WoodysRoundup]

This is just such an informative thread. I appreciate all the info. I get here. LIVES4DISNEY....I always look for your great info. as well.

We're thinking og the GF for our next trip but we've been spoiled by our castle view and concierge at Poly. Before our trips to the Poly, we had stayed at GF many times. We never worried much about that view before.

So, I have a few questions for anyone who might be able to help....
Can we stay in the RPC or Sugarloaf concierge AND get that castle view??!! (DH wants concierge).

Do the lodge tower rooms have a daybed like the regular rooms?

What is the pool slide like at the GF? (never used it before).

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[irisbud]

This is just such an informative thread. I appreciate all the info. I get here. LIVES4DISNEY....I always look for your great info. as well.

We're thinking og the GF for our next trip but we've been spoiled by our castle view and concierge at Poly. Before our trips to the Poly, we had stayed at GF many times. We never worried much about that view before.

So, I have a few questions for anyone who might be able to help....
Can we stay in the RPC or Sugarloaf concierge AND get that castle view??!! (DH wants concierge).

Do the lodge tower rooms have a daybed like the regular rooms?

What is the pool slide like at the GF? (never used it before).

THANKS SO MUCH!

Sugarloaf does not have any castle views. RPC does have some rooms with a view of the castle, but the view is by request only.

 

[Lives4Disney]

This is just such an informative thread. I appreciate all the info. I get here. LIVES4DISNEY....I always look for your great info. as well.

We're thinking og the GF for our next trip but we've been spoiled by our castle view and concierge at Poly. Before our trips to the Poly, we had stayed at GF many times. We never worried much about that view before.

So, I have a few questions for anyone who might be able to help....
Can we stay in the RPC or Sugarloaf concierge AND get that castle view??!! (DH wants concierge).

Do the lodge tower rooms have a daybed like the regular rooms?

What is the pool slide like at the GF? (never used it before).

THANKS SO MUCH!

Hi, Woodysroundup! Amy is right - it's request only....the view from RPC can be great, though! Here are some pics of views from our various rooms we've had.....

We had a lodge tower room in SL once and it did not have a daybed. Two queens and a sofa in the tower area. I know a year or so ago TripleFigs had a sofaBED in the tower area, though. We (family of 6) requested a rollaway. It was fine, but I hated taking up the space w/it. Now that the rooms are being redone, nobody knows if they are putting sofabeds in or not. We need a Diser to go check it out.

I am a slide chicken ....but DDs have both gone on the slides at Poly, S/D, GF and CR, and SAB and they get bored very fast with the Poly & S/D slides. They enjoy the GF's. It seems to be higher and longer than Poly's.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I had thought that SL probably didn't have castle view rooms, but I thought maybe if you looked out a marina view room to the right you might see something?

LIVES 4DISNEY...Thanks for the info. on the slide. I was concerned maybe the kids wouldn't be as entertained by it but it sounds like they'd love it! (and me too)!

Do you know how many RPC rooms are castle view? IOW, what do you think our chances would be of getting one as a request???

Lastly, what is the renovation schedule for SL and RPC? THANKS again!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL pics, LIVES 4DISNEY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had thought that SL probably didn't have castle view rooms, but I thought maybe if you looked out a marina view room to the right you might see something?

LIVES 4DISNEY...Thanks for the info. on the slide. I was concerned maybe the kids wouldn't be as entertained by it but it sounds like they'd love it! (and me too)!

Do you know how many RPC rooms are castle view? IOW, what do you think our chances would be of getting one as a request???

Lastly, what is the renovation schedule for SL and RPC? THANKS again!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL pics, LIVES 4DISNEY!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi again....well the RPC rooms are done. The SL - who knows.....it was supposed to be worked on in Sept....still haven't though - so now they have said Oct. As for how many RPC rooms have that view....it would be 4301 - 4309 and 4401 - 4409. So 18 standard RPC rooms. I always requested it thru IPO and also thru CRO. I have been lucky every time. RPC is just terrific if you can get past the price.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[macrosswife]

Hello!
I am helping a friend plan her GF vacation in February of 2008.
She is looking at staying either Sugar Loaf or RPC. There's a $700 difference, and she wants to be able to justify the cost of staying RPC to her husband!
I knew if anyone could, y'all could!
Help??

Thanks!!
Kimber

 

[tete01830]

Channing,

Do they have activities for the kids at the pool? My daughter LOVED them at SAB in March and I was hoping they have them at GF, too? Figured you would know...

 

[jaycns]

We were just in the Sugar Loaf building (in a Lodge Tower room) and no rehab has gone on there yet. Which was okay by me. We loved the room as it was. And the extra space that came with having that room set up was GREAT! The rehab (that I could see) was taking place across from the Sugar Loaf building (looking out from Sugar Loaf it was the building to the left of the pool). We were there from 9/9-9/15.

We had a grand time (no pun intended) while there. I loved the room. We loved renting a cabana by the pool. I spent too much time at the Basin store there (and too much money if you ask dh). The concierge staff left a chocolate Mickey for my son's birthday and champange/a rose for our anniversary. We also ordered a beautiful cake from private dining. I will post pictures once they are uploaded.


I have two "not so favorite" things. First, the Sugar Loaf lounge was always crowded. I personally think I would enjoy the RPC lounge more. So next time, we will give that a try.

Second, dining at Narcoosee's...DO NOT dine there for a "fireworks view". The outside deck fills up right about that time and the only view you have is of people's backsides. NOW, I will admit it was a beautiful castle view before the people lined up to watch the fireworks outside...however, watching the fireworks from our table was not possible due to the people watching on the deck right outside the window. Next time, I would eat earlier and then plan on finishing up a few minutes BEFORE the fireworks so that we could have a clear view of the fireworks from outside. Still, the food was good and the view was very nice until fireworks time...so it's not really a negative so much as a warning if you are planning on viewing the fireworks from your dinner table there. Hope that helps someone out!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing,

Do they have activities for the kids at the pool? My daughter LOVED them at SAB in March and I was hoping they have them at GF, too? Figured you would know...

Hi, well....no. Once they were throwing little "fish" into the pool and the kids went crazy trying to catch them & they got to keep them. That was it. I know what you mean....we were at the YC for several days this summer and my girls also had fun with some of the games and crafts. You'd think with such a cool pool (SAB) they'd just leave it at that and do the extras at the other resorts.

Jacyns, oh ya, the RPC lounge is much much much nicer. There is seating on 3 floors and I have never felt overwhelmed trying to get a spot to seat. The SL lounge was tight and always full of guests when we stayed. That's one reason we like RPC so much better....it is much more stress free and peaceful because so often it's empty! Glad you had a grand time, though! That is a shame about Narcoosees. I booked it for 7:30 pm with those fireworks view hopes. Thanks for the heads up. We will arrive early and hopefully get ourselves a view.

Channing

 

[tete01830]

Hi, well....no. Once they were throwing little "fish" into the pool and the kids went crazy trying to catch them & they got to keep them. That was it. I know what you mean....we were at the YC for several days this summer and my girls also had fun with some of the games and crafts. You'd think with such a cool pool (SAB) they'd just leave it at that and do the extras at the other resorts.



Channing

That is a bummer...

Hearing you talk about RPC makes me want to upgrade!

 

[tinklvr64]

We were just in the Sugar Loaf building (in a Lodge Tower room) and no rehab has gone on there yet. Which was okay by me. We loved the room as it was. And the extra space that came with having that room set up was GREAT! The rehab (that I could see) was taking place across from the Sugar Loaf building (looking out from Sugar Loaf it was the building to the left of the pool). We were there from 9/9-9/15.

We had a grand time (no pun intended) while there. I loved the room. We loved renting a cabana by the pool. I spent too much time at the Basin store there (and too much money if you ask dh). The concierge staff left a chocolate Mickey for my son's birthday and champange/a rose for our anniversary. We also ordered a beautiful cake from private dining. I will post pictures once they are uploaded.


I have two "not so favorite" things. First, the Sugar Loaf lounge was always crowded. I personally think I would enjoy the RPC lounge more. So next time, we will give that a try.

Second, dining at Narcoosee's...DO NOT dine there for a "fireworks view". The outside deck fills up right about that time and the only view you have is of people's backsides. NOW, I will admit it was a beautiful castle view before the people lined up to watch the fireworks outside...however, watching the fireworks from our table was not possible due to the people watching on the deck right outside the window. Next time, I would eat earlier and then plan on finishing up a few minutes BEFORE the fireworks so that we could have a clear view of the fireworks from outside. Still, the food was good and the view was very nice until fireworks time...so it's not really a negative so much as a warning if you are planning on viewing the fireworks from your dinner table there. Hope that helps someone out!

Wow this is a great review...we are leaving this Thursday and we are staying in Sugar Loaf. Tell me more, tell me more....
How crowded was it? How was the food? How about the beverages?
thanks!