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

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, not Lives4Disney here but we ordered our tree from the Disney Florist - www.disneyflorist.com.

Quite pricey at $457 (we did add a plush YOMD Minnie & Mickey). I believe they will arange to ship it home aswell, but as we are in the UK I will have to find my own way to get it home. We may have to scarifice the tree but will definately be taking the decorations.

Oh!! Don't sacrifice your tree - they are soooo cute. When we did Xmas last year, I didn't want to wait the 6 weeks Disney Florist told me it would take to ship the tree home to me, so I used the box I had shipped our Xmas decorations and misc. items in. Concierge helped me ship it home. I UPSed or Fed Exed it - 2 day air - and it cost about $30. It arrived home the day after we did and I set it up for the next few weeks in my family room. Maybe something to think about. The trees are sooooo neat and sooooo expensive you won't want to leave it behind.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[BeckyOnTheBlueTrain]

Hi there!

We leave on Friday (yay!) and I just got an email from Disney. We had originally booked a standard view and our reservation email said we had this room:

Theme Park View (BU)

I saw on the FAQ that this room code was a 2-bedroom suite, but the reservations hotline said it was a regular room with 2 queen-sized beds and a theme park view.

Can anybody shed some light on this mystery? Should I call reservations again or do they even have that information? Or did I get my hopes too high?

Thanks so much,
Becky

 

[HockeyMomR]

Hi there!

We leave on Friday (yay!) and I just got an email from Disney. We had originally booked a standard view and our reservation email said we had this room:

Theme Park View (BU)

I saw on the FAQ that this room code was a 2-bedroom suite, but the reservations hotline said it was a regular room with 2 queen-sized beds and a theme park view.

Can anybody shed some light on this mystery? Should I call reservations again or do they even have that information? Or did I get my hopes too high?

Thanks so much,
Becky

Our Theme Park View from our July stay was listed on our reservation as Theme Park View (BU). You still are receiving an upgrade! We just loved our view!

 

[BeckyOnTheBlueTrain]

Our Theme Park View from our July stay was listed on our reservation as Theme Park View (BU). You still are receiving an upgrade! We just loved our view!

Thanks for the quick help! I nearly hyperventilated when I thought it was a 2-bedroom suite!

Still quite an awesome upgrade, I think, and I'm looking forward to our first stay here.

Thanks so much!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Thanks for the quick help! I nearly hyperventilated when I thought it was a 2-bedroom suite!

That happened to a number of people when they instituted the new "theme park" view. Instead of creating new room codes, they re-used some old ones, like the 2 bedroom suite BU.

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Well, we were originally staying at the WL with an AP rate for next weekend (Thurs. to Monday) and Dh looked online today and we have since switched to the GF with a Garden View!! Yay!!!

Now, on to my question. I have requested a king bed on the top floor. Has anyone ever stayed on the top floor with a king bed? Which Building? Is there a specific room # I should ask for or just a building in general?

I have never stayed anything but RPC and SL at the GF, so I am a little out of my element here.

Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Angela, I have no clue about the king bed request, but I am also doing our first ever nonconcierge GF stay in Nov. in a GV room. PLEASE report back about how your GV stay goes!!

I am having major RPC withdrawals and I check daily to see if even 1/2 our stay can be RPC and then maybe 1/2 at the Swan or Dolphin - for a great SPG rate .... and the GF looks to be absolutely PACKED during our dates. No luck here with any upgrading yet. Hopefully you'll have a fabulous time & come back with a great review of your GV.



Lives4Disney

 

[tenbelow]

Well, we were originally staying at the WL with an AP rate for next weekend (Thurs. to Monday) and Dh looked online today and we have since switched to the GF with a Garden View!! Yay!!!

Now, on to my question. I have requested a king bed on the top floor. Has anyone ever stayed on the top floor with a king bed? Which Building? Is there a specific room # I should ask for or just a building in general?

I have never stayed anything but RPC and SL at the GF, so I am a little out of my element here.

Thanks!

We stayed on the top floor last year in a dormer King Room with a view of the Marina. It was room #5431 ( I think the Sago Cay Bldg. ) and if we could stay in that room again this year we would as it was quiet, clean, nice view for a GV, plus housekeeping was top notch.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Angela, with the renovations going on and limited room inventory, you may want to keep your request as simple as possible. If a king bed is your biggest priority, ask for that first. Then if you're able to get a little more specific with location, the CM can let you know. Typically, the GF doesn't pre-assign rooms, it's done at check-in. I don't know if the renovation has affected that policy at all, but your best chances are to arrive as early as possible. That's when they'll have the largest room inventory to select from and you can always offer to "wait" for the room of your choice. If you can't get a king room, then you may want to go with your second request of a high floor or specific building. I know we all have our favorites, but I like Sago Cay (marina side) and Conch Key garden view.

 

[s&k'smom]

I will admit I haven't been paying attention to a lot of the posts because up until a few days ago our going was iffy. But I'm putting my faith in my higher power and have confirmed everything and made our ADR's. So now that I'm with the program exactly what renovations are being done and again I apoligize if some of this will be repeated but after watching the Travel Channel yesterday and all it's amazing disney shows I'm beyond excited, we arrived Oct. 27th!

 

[luvmydis]

Hi all,

Just popping in as we, too, just did the Photopass photo shoot at the GF last week. I was VERY pleased with the shoot, and quite happy with the pictures too. Our photographer (I don't think I'm allowed to post her name, but can give it by PM if anyone would like it) did a nice job keeping the kiddos interested and getting their attention (my 2 and almost 4 year old - NOT an easy task!!), and, more importantly, was very efficient! She kept things moving at a nice pace, which also really helped to keep the little ones in good shape. We checked in for our shoot at 8:45 as they requested and we were done by 9:30. She took approx. 70 pictures, and quite a few really nice ones (especially of the kids). Unlike NeverSayNever, we started inside then moved out - thank God. It was quite hot & humid during our shoot (even though it was early) and I would have been pretty gross if we started outside first. I guess it all depends on your photographer. Anyway, for the price (free with pre-purchase), we thought it was a GREAT use of our time!!

On a side note, I'm looking forward to reading through this thread and learning more about the GF as we booked a stay there with the bounceback offer for next Sept.! Woo hoo!!

Can you please provide some additional info on the bounceback offer? Is this available to everyone or just AP? Is this something similar to the onboard discount offered through DCL? Any info would be appreciated!

 

[triplefigs]

Just added a RPC room to our Feb trip!

 

[3for Me]

Just booked our 4th GF stay for February! Yea! Got the nicest CM, too and he knew exactly the type of room(s) I requested and (hopefully) noted them correctly. I know it's only a request, but I would be super psyched if we ended up in the same type of room.

I'll be lurking the thread to find out any new info. and to hear about all of your wonderful trips.

 

[3for Me]

Just added a RPC room to our Feb trip!

Triplefigs...I was tempted, as there were RPC rooms available and I know that's rare, but I held firm, as we are adding this on to a 4 night Wonder cruise and I was able to snag the last available Cat 3 suite, so no RPC for me - I'll have to enjoy my concierge on the ship instead.

Hope ya'll have a great trip!

 

[triplefigs]

Triplefigs...I was tempted, as there were RPC rooms available and I know that's rare, but I held firm, as we are adding this on to a 4 night Wonder cruise and I was able to snag the last available Cat 3 suite, so no RPC for me - I'll have to enjoy my concierge on the ship instead.

Hope ya'll have a great trip!

Thanks! I'm having sticker shock, but I want to stay there so badly. I'm debating 4 nights at the CR MK Tower and then 3 in RPC. I think that would be the best of both worlds (no pun intended).

Has anyone done a split stay? How hard is it to move luggage, etc? We'd be at the MK the day we'd switch.

 

[3for Me]

We did a split between the Dolphin and GF during our Christmas '05 stay. It was painless. Don't know about others experiences, though.

Your split sounds like the ideal vacation for my family...I have two that LOVE the CR and my daughter and I LOVE the GF. DH would rather be at the beach so he doesn't count.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[triplefigs]

We did a split between the Dolphin and GF during our Christmas '05 stay. It was painless. Don't know about others experiences, though.

Your split sounds like the ideal vacation for my family...I have two that LOVE the CR and my daughter and I LOVE the GF. DH would rather be at the beach so he doesn't count.

Good luck with your decision!

I'm DYING to go back to the GF, and so is DH. This way the kids get the view at CR and hopefully we could get a decent view in RPC. The last 3 nights we are eating at Narcoossees and 1900 PF, so it would be perfect. Only problem is we're doing the DDP, so I'd have to pay for one extra set of 1 day base tickets, but I could save them for a later date.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Can you please provide some additional info on the bounceback offer? Is this available to everyone or just AP? Is this something similar to the onboard discount offered through DCL? Any info would be appreciated!

There are quite a few threads on the bounce back offer on the Codes board. I, for one, wouldn't have known that this offer even existed if it weren't for these boards - I saw no advertisements on it when we were at the YC last weekend, so if you plan on booking it, definitely take the info. with you!

And to answer likely your most basic question - the bounce back offer is only extended to current guests at the WDW resort (must be booked before checking out), and are for trips with "free" dining (or the deluxe dining plan for a reduced cost) in September '08. I'm not sure of the exact dates, but you need to check in before the end of this September to be able to book the package. Good luck!

Thanks! I'm having sticker shock, but I want to stay there so badly. I'm debating 4 nights at the CR MK Tower and then 3 in RPC. I think that would be the best of both worlds (no pun intended).

Has anyone done a split stay? How hard is it to move luggage, etc? We'd be at the MK the day we'd switch.

Congrats! I think that sounds like a great idea! We have gotten to where we prefer split stays - it makes the vacation seem longer somehow by getting a change of venue in the middle of it. Plus, with all your activities around the GF those last few days, sounds like you'll be there anyway!

Disney makes moving very easy. You just need to call bell services and have them transfer your luggage the morning of check-out/in, and be prepared to be without your bags for a while. (I think they guarantee that your bags will be at your new resort by 3 p.m.) You can then hop the monorail, and make your way to your new home!

 

[triplefigs]

Congrats! I think that sounds like a great idea! We have gotten to where we prefer split stays - it makes the vacation seem longer somehow by getting a change of venue in the middle of it. Plus, with all your activities around the GF those last few days, sounds like you'll be there anyway!

Disney makes moving very easy. You just need to call bell services and have them transfer your luggage the morning of check-out/in, and be prepared to be without your bags for a while. (I think they guarantee that your bags will be at your new resort by 3 p.m.) You can then hop the monorail, and make your way to your new home!

Thanks, Lindsay. I am soooo excited. We are staying CR Tower MK view Feb 2-6 and then GF RPC Feb 6-9. FINALLY! And with only 3 days and the AAA rate, it's a tad easier to pay for. I have Narcoossees, 1900 PF dinner (can't wait for the kids to see the Step Family) and 1900 PF breakfast (love Alice and the Mad Hatter) while we are there.

I'm off to email IPO. What room request for a Castle/Monorail view? Thanks!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Angela, I have no clue about the king bed request, but I am also doing our first ever nonconcierge GF stay in Nov. in a GV room. PLEASE report back about how your GV stay goes!!

I am having major RPC withdrawals and I check daily to see if even 1/2 our stay can be RPC and then maybe 1/2 at the Swan or Dolphin - for a great SPG rate .... and the GF looks to be absolutely PACKED during our dates. No luck here with any upgrading yet. Hopefully you'll have a fabulous time & come back with a great review of your GV.



Lives4Disney

Channing - I know what you mean about RPC withdrawl. I have seriously been missing it, but I was **trying** to be good and not let the cost of this trip get out of control. It was supposed to be a low-budget trip. Well, as low budget as you can get going to Disney, staying deluxe.. I am hoping this lives up to my expectations, but I am afraid that I will just want to move on to RPC, no matter the cost. I will have to keep my mouth shut, or BG will DEFINATELY give me the go-ahead...

We stayed on the top floor last year in a dormer King Room with a view of the Marina. It was room #5431 ( I think the Sago Cay Bldg. ) and if we could stay in that room again this year we would as it was quiet, clean, nice view for a GV, plus housekeeping was top notch.

Enjoy your trip!

THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! I will request that one... That was actually the building I was wanting to be in...

Angela, with the renovations going on and limited room inventory, you may want to keep your request as simple as possible. If a king bed is your biggest priority, ask for that first. Then if you're able to get a little more specific with location, the CM can let you know. Typically, the GF doesn't pre-assign rooms, it's done at check-in. I don't know if the renovation has affected that policy at all, but your best chances are to arrive as early as possible. That's when they'll have the largest room inventory to select from and you can always offer to "wait" for the room of your choice. If you can't get a king room, then you may want to go with your second request of a high floor or specific building. I know we all have our favorites, but I like Sago Cay (marina side) and Conch Key garden view.

Thanks Tammi! If I don't get it, I won't be broken hearted. Too bad, at least. Right now, just being at the GF is enough. The rest is just icing on the cake.