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

[ClareH37]

I love this thread - you guys know so much about the GF and it's really helped in my planning

Well, decision is now made - we're sticking with RPC as we'd really like to be in the main building. I've asked IPO if a deluxe room becomes available when we check in we'd like to upgrade but I don't hold out much hope for that.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I'll weigh in on the special parties - IMO, they're not to be missed!

DH and I have been to 2 MVMCP thus far - in 2005, we went on a Tuesday the week right after Thanksgiving (other than DH getting sick, the party was great!), and then we went last year on a Friday night in mid-December. I was worried that party would be crowded, due to the weekend, but I didn't find it so. We saw everything we wanted (and then some - literally, towards the end we were just browsing around Main Street waiting for the 2nd parade, because we had seen and done everything!), and had a great time. Ironically, I had a friend on another thread that went the same night, and thought it was terribly crowded - but then, they did the 1st parade and left after the fireworks, so her experience was quite different. I've found TGM's advice to be right on, and have always enjoyed myself when following it. We're going this December with my entire family (post-our GF stay) on a Tuesday night (12/4).

Minniesota - thanks for keeping us updated on your trip! It sounds like you're getting some extra doses of PD, as well as comfort in your dad's memory. I hope things continue to be great for you and your family!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello again,

I can't believe I am closing in on a month away!! We are so excited.

I signed my daughter up for the alice in wonderland tea party the day we go to MVMCP. It says the event is from 1:30 to 2:30 but to arrive at 1pm to drop your child off? What we do in that half hour will make the difference of what we do. Do you think DH and I will be able to sit at the cafe for a nice quiet but quick lunch? I was even thinking of maybe doing the couple massage but I am thinking that is pushing it. Normally we would lounge by the pool but I don't think that we will be happening the last week of November!

Also, I have been hearing really bad things about 1900 PF. We have never been there before and I have to admit, my daughter isn't really into the princesses. She likes them but likes the characters much more. We normally do Chef Mickey's but they were booked until late so I did 1900 before I heard about the changes. Now I am having second thoughts, especially since Suzy and Perla are gone!

Suzanne, I would check that arrival time. I believe for all the other kid activities we've ever done it was a 15 min window prior to the party time - not 1/2 hour. Unless things changed, but that seems kinda overkill. You just stand in line, sign in, get a receipt and pager and wait around until they are ready to let the kids enter. There isn't a whole lot of time while the party is happening and they expect you back a bit before the end because it is cute when you pick up. NOt to give it away, but you'll want to be there when they open the doors.

Our last two 1900 experiences were yucky. The latest was this past July. After that, I said I am done with it and just about done w/character meals except Crystal Palace & LTT, which we all seem to enjoy for one weird reason or another.

Hey, Princesses - You seem excited! You're getting me excited!!! I booked a July RPC trip this morning.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

I'll weigh in on the special parties - IMO, they're not to be missed!

DH and I have been to 2 MVMCP thus far - in 2005, we went on a Tuesday the week right after Thanksgiving (other than DH getting sick, the party was great!), and then we went last year on a Friday night in mid-December. I was worried that party would be crowded, due to the weekend, but I didn't find it so. We saw everything we wanted (and then some - literally, towards the end we were just browsing around Main Street waiting for the 2nd parade, because we had seen and done everything!), and had a great time. Ironically, I had a friend on another thread that went the same night, and thought it was terribly crowded - but then, they did the 1st parade and left after the fireworks, so her experience was quite different. I've found TGM's advice to be right on, and have always enjoyed myself when following it. We're going this December with my entire family (post-our GF stay) on a Tuesday night (12/4).

Minniesota - thanks for keeping us updated on your trip! It sounds like you're getting some extra doses of PD, as well as comfort in your dad's memory. I hope things continue to be great for you and your family!

Oh, ya. The parties are neat, but it is a very different experience if it's crowded vs. a nice light night. The only "light" party we've ever been to was in 2003 the Halloween party. I think they've stretched the limits on ticket sales since then.

We have only been able to go after Thanksgiving - the FIRST party after the holiday and then we fly home - probably with a lot of others, haha. I have been SUPER disappointed & shocked at how many tickets they sell to this "limited" event. I think you are lucky to be able to hit the Tues party. It all depends on when during the season you are able to go. We have stayed the whole night each time we've done it and I believe we've seen it all, but no rides and no extras & lots and lots of time just waiting in line for shows to start and holding seats. It has been PACKED for us. Actually more crowded than during the evenings on THanksgiving night at MK, lol.

Considering our experiences I've always been envious of the people that can go at diff times of the season & say how much they enjoy the parties. We've used TGM except the first we went to. It does help a bit, but what helped most was just knowing what to expect after going to that first party.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Suzanne74]

Suzanne, I would check that arrival time. I believe for all the other kid activities we've ever done it was a 15 min window prior to the party time - not 1/2 hour. Unless things changed, but that seems kinda overkill. You just stand in line, sign in, get a receipt and pager and wait around until they are ready to let the kids enter. There isn't a whole lot of time while the party is happening and they expect you back a bit before the end because it is cute when you pick up. NOt to give it away, but you'll want to be there when they open the doors.

Our last two 1900 experiences were yucky. The latest was this past July. After that, I said I am done with it and just about done w/character meals except Crystal Palace & LTT, which we all seem to enjoy for one weird reason or another.

Thank you. I think we will skip it. We love LTT too. We did it before MNSSHP 2 years ago. Maybe we will do it again. I like CP too but unfortunately dd thinks Pooh is for babies

Also, I wanted to chime in on the parties. We are doing MVMCP for the first time this year. We did MNSSHP 2 years ago and to this day it was the best time we have EVER had at Disneyworld. It is SO much fun if planned correctly. That is where the DIS comes in. I saw so many people coming in at 7-8ish and were just overwhelmed with the crowd level on Main Street. By that time, we had already covered the entire back of the park, taken pictures with at least 10 characters and had bags full of candy!!! Once the crowds kicked in we went on some rides. We also avoided the first parade like the plague and sat and ate candy by the noodle terrace and watched the fireworks with barely anyone around us. We couldn't have done it any better. I just hope MVMCP can live up to MNSSHP reputation!!

I also never plan to be at any parks the day of the event and head out about 3:20 to go to the MK. We sleep in that day and we relax and have a nice lunch. We always plan the Epcot countries the day after - since they don't open until 11am and you don't feel the pressure to wake up early. We stayed from 4pm to midnight and plan to do it again for the christmas party. I think this way it is well worth the money.

I have been told here on this board to avoid Fri nights as well as AP discounted nights. These are the parties all the locals show up too. We are doing a Tuesday party this year after Thanksgiving and hope this is one of the empty ones.

 

[princessesrule4]

Suzanne, I would check that arrival time. I believe for all the other kid activities we've ever done it was a 15 min window prior to the party time - not 1/2 hour. Unless things changed, but that seems kinda overkill. You just stand in line, sign in, get a receipt and pager and wait around until they are ready to let the kids enter. There isn't a whole lot of time while the party is happening and they expect you back a bit before the end because it is cute when you pick up. NOt to give it away, but you'll want to be there when they open the doors.

Our last two 1900 experiences were yucky. The latest was this past July. After that, I said I am done with it and just about done w/character meals except Crystal Palace & LTT, which we all seem to enjoy for one weird reason or another.

Hey, Princesses - You seem excited! You're getting me excited!!! I booked a July RPC trip this morning.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Hey Lives4Disney!
Can you tell I'm a little excited! I think 4 posts in a row is a record for me!

That's awesome that you booked a July RPC trip! Let the countdown begin!
Did you book it online or thru CRO? After sillyguys posted that he couldn't find RPC availability in May, I checked online and found NO RPC availability for June, July or August!! I figured there had to be something up but I haven't called yet because I'm not sure of our dates! I wanted to book soon so I can possibly still get a AAA rate! Were you able to snag one? My kids really want to do a Disney cruise and then 4 days at GF. I'm not a cruise person so I've been dragging my feet but I think we're going to do it this year!

Sillyguys,
Hope you were able to book RPC for May! Let us know if you find out anything!

 

[praline3001]

Hi everyone! We are staying at the GF in Feb and I am very excited!

I do have a question or suggestions needed. On the day we get there (we are driving) we are not going into the parks as it will be kind of late (3-4pm) to start a day and me and DH will be a bit tired to start running the parks after driving!
We are planning on DH and my 2 older DS's to go to Disney quest that afternoon/evening for as they are all computer and video game geeks

Anyway... I have a 6 year old princess who wouldn't get much out of Disney quest. I want to keep her at the resort that evening so as not to overwhelm her and to eventually get her to bed EARLY so she will have a good night sleep for the parks the next morning... What things are fun for 6 year olds at GF for her to let out some of that excitement without overdoing it?
I know the pool but we will be there the 1st week in Feb so might be too cold in the evening. I already reserved the cindy dinner with the entire family on another night so thats out.. the princess party and Alice tea party are early in the day sooooo what would you suggest to keep her entertained?

 

[sillyguys]

I'm so excited. I was able to get RPC for May with the AAA discount. I opted for the standard room because it sounds like you have a chance of getting a castle view. My other choice was a deluxe concierge room but it's my understanding that you have no chance of a castle view with that room. I am correct about the room views?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Princesses, I did get AAA rate. I booked it thru a Diser TA here on the boards. If you PM me I will tell you who it is.

Praline, one of my girls favorite things to do is shop. We go monorail shopping and have fun checking out all the goodies in the shops at the CR, Poly, and GF. It's good girl bonding time.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

I'm so excited. I was able to get RPC for May with the AAA discount. I opted for the standard room because it sounds like you have a chance of getting a castle view. My other choice was a deluxe concierge room but it's my understanding that you have no chance of a castle view with that room. I am correct about the room views?

Yay! Awesome. You will LOVE it.

Yes you're correct regarding the views. Use the new email address Tete gave us a page or so back for the GF IPO and introduce yourself and make your view request.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[sillyguys]

Lives4Disney...do you think it's too early to e-mail IPO regarding a room request? Since I'm still about 7 months away I don't want to bug them yet I want to give myself the best chance possible to get a MK view. What do you think? Thanks.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney...do you think it's too early to e-mail IPO regarding a room request? Since I'm still about 7 months away I don't want to bug them yet I want to give myself the best chance possible to get a MK view. What do you think? Thanks.

Hmmm......trying to remember how I work it.

I would say you could email them any time in the next few days. Include your ressie number and check in date. Nearing the 180 day mark they will probably be inundated with emails from people wanting them to book ADRs etc. I usually make my own ADRs so I don't worry about the timing of it. Just go ahead and email when you're comfortable with it, introduce yourself and if there is something extra special you'd like them to be sure to book for you (tours, cruises, character meals, etc) include those requests in your email. You may also want to send a reminder when your 180 day booking window approaches. Then I usually follow up with another email when our check in date is approaching and kind of go over our arrival time etc. and PLEASE could they try and get us a MK view room . It's nice to kind of develope a relationship with the IPO staff. They can be really helpful. If an MK room is not assigned to you at check in, you can just ask if there is a MK room available and the onsight concierge CM will check for you and you may get it that way, too. Check in as early as possible.

That's kind of what I do. I don't stress about it too much and it has always worked out for us with a MK view.....maybe that's why I don't stress, lol. All the views are really really pretty,though. Have to include that!

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[sillyguys]

Thanks so much for the info!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks so much for the info!!!

You're welcome!

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

Channing, yes we're here right now. We were at the Polynesian for 4 nights and are now at BCV until Friday. Our DD is not with us as she is in college.

Dis Ohana, my DD and I did the GV tea once and our whole family also adored a private dining tea that is no longer offered. There are more options at the GV Tea than in the concierge lounge at teatime and it is a lovely experience. But we've done the tea when we've not been in club level.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hello Everyone!
I am booked for july next year GF RPC and cant wait! I have always stayed sugar loaf and cant wait to stay in the main building!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, yes we're here right now. We were at the Polynesian for 4 nights and are now at BCV until Friday. Our DD is not with us as she is in college.

Dis Ohana, my DD and I did the GV tea once and our whole family also adored a private dining tea that is no longer offered. There are more options at the GV Tea than in the concierge lounge at teatime and it is a lovely experience. But we've done the tea when we've not been in club level.

Oh, sorry your daughter can't be with you. I know it probably feels kind of strange. I felt that during the trip my son opted out. Fun, but not the same.

Hope you have a wonderful time. I bet the weather is gorgeous. Some unDisney friends of mine are down there now(they were coerced into taking this trip by their DVC owner friends! Can you believe it??!) at Saratoga Springs just to enjoy a few days of F&W Fest. I am hoping the weather and crowds are perfect so I can talk them into going some time again with us!!

Have a great time & make some new memories.

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

so how was the Poly BCV? Are you guys having fun?

 

[BCV23]

The Polynesian was beautiful and "practically perfect in every way." We are having fun. We decided on a quiet afternoon and evening as DS1 and his wife can't join us for dinner. My DH and other son are at SAB and I'll probably join them at the quiet pool in a bit. Happy planning for RPC, Kelly.

Channing, I should be used to trips without her as she's been in college for several years. But I really miss her this trip.

 

[BamaTigger]

Hello!! Does anyone on this thread have any pics of the MK view rooms? I reserved a standard room MK view for Christmas and I would like to see if anyone has any good pics.


Thanks!!!