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

[triplefigs]

I had everything in place before Tyler left. We are staying CR Tower MK view (donwgraded). I have heard on the CR thread that they are getting no response from the IPO dept.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had everything in place before Tyler left. We are staying CR Tower MK view (donwgraded). I have heard on the CR thread that they are getting no response from the IPO dept.

We need Tyler back in that IPO dept. He gave me a contact name, but after several days w/no reponse, I resent. Turns out the CM is on vacation. Another replied, but left loose ends and has not replied in a week to my email!! I resent on Thurs - no reply. Resent Fri evening.....nothing. Ugh. I swear...next time I see one of those "Is concierge worth it threads?" and certain people replying that you pay for the higher level of service yada yada.... (can you tell I am getting POed) I will be a mega thread buster and blast that theory. I will call tomorrow morning if I have to, but the thing is when you call you get a voice mail machine!!! That isn't much better, LOL.

You will really enjoy the CR tower MK view is just unbelievable. Were you going to do Atrium Club but changed?? I was going to do that for one night and then move to YC, but the AP rate was available suddenly for before the 5th, so we just decided to stay at the YC July 3 for the first 4 nights then move to GF. I am happier with that as too much moving gets crazy.

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

We were in Atrium Club, but they can't guarantee a MK view which is very important (esp for my DS). So we went with the view vs concierge. With free dining, if we want some extras I'll just order them or get a basket for the kids from Peggy.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were in Atrium Club, but they can't guarantee a MK view which is very important (esp for my DS). So we went with the view vs concierge. With free dining, if we want some extras I'll just order them or get a basket for the kids from Peggy.

You'll love it! Your kids will be thrilled. I think you made the best choice.

Channing aka Lives

 

[traci]

thanks for the info on the baskets! i am going to check them out. how does the delivery to the room work?

is tyler just on vacation? please tell me he will be returning to ipo

 

[triplefigs]

Tyler got a new job in another area at WDW.

 

[traci]

yea for tyler
for us

 

[lyeag]

We need Tyler back in that IPO dept. He gave me a contact name, but after several days w/no reponse, I resent. Turns out the CM is on vacation. Another replied, but left loose ends and has not replied in a week to my email!! I resent on Thurs - no reply. Resent Fri evening.....nothing. Ugh. I swear...next time I see one of those "Is concierge worth it threads?" and certain people replying that you pay for the higher level of service yada yada.... (can you tell I am getting POed) I will be a mega thread buster and blast that theory. I will call tomorrow morning if I have to, but the thing is when you call you get a voice mail machine!!! That isn't much better, LOL.

You will really enjoy the CR tower MK view is just unbelievable. Were you going to do Atrium Club but changed?? I was going to do that for one night and then move to YC, but the AP rate was available suddenly for before the 5th, so we just decided to stay at the YC July 3 for the first 4 nights then move to GF. I am happier with that as too much moving gets crazy.

Lives4Disney

I am having the same troubles with the CR IPO. Whoever it was who called me late yesterday was clueless. The voicemail has been on straight since at least 9 am on Friday. I have been trying to get through to someone there since then. This is our first try with concierge, and I am seriously thinking if I can look into downgrading to a tower room with our AAA rate.

You can read what I have dealt with here- http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145727&page=1&pp=15

 

[TammiMcMan]

Sorry to hear about everyones frustration with GF's IPO. We've been staying there since the mid 1990's and I have to say, that I have never once been impressed with the pre-planners. Our first stay there, we were total novices and had no clue what the service included. We were never contacted by anyone ahead of time and didn't find out until we arrived, that they could have handled all our dining arrangements and other reservations. Since then, I always contact them right away. They've never been what I would describe as warm and friendly though. When I tried to plan some special things for our 20th anniversary trip, it was like pulling teeth. I wanted something unique, willing to pay extra for it, but they couldn't come up with anything. It was so frustrating. Boy, was I ever blown away when we tried the YC for a change. The girls in that department were amazing. They signed every e-mail and I was treated like a friend, not a reservation number. That's what I thought a Disney based IPO department should have been run like. With the price of club level skyrocketing and service going downhill, they are definitely going to start losing loyal customers. It's a shame, but after reading lots of reports like this, I'm definitely looking at other options for our next trip.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I am having the same troubles with the CR IPO. Whoever it was who called me late yesterday was clueless. The voicemail has been on straight since at least 9 am on Friday. I have been trying to get through to someone there since then. This is our first try with concierge, and I am seriously thinking if I can look into downgrading to a tower room with our AAA rate.

You can read what I have dealt with here- http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145727&page=1&pp=15

LOL, I jumped on your thread!! I think I was one of the first people to reply. I jumped in because I believe CR and GF share an IPO office.

I have NEVER had this much trouble in the past with any IPO dept. I do not know what is going on over there, but seems that something is.

If I didn't love the RPC at GF I would also just downgrade to a lagoon view room and use AAA for all my nights. As it is, I am paying rack - can't get the AAA applied to my concierge room.

I am going to wait until tomorrow morn and then I will start with a vengeance trying to get a hold of somebody - ANYbody!! Or.....If by Tues I do not hear from an IPO CM, I will call the GF directly and speak with a concierge CM on site.

Good luck!!!

Traci - I have never used Peggy's before, but I think the basket is delivered to the front desk or maybe after you're in your room they come and deliver it if they have enough staff. I am doing it for sure, so I will let you know how it goes/works.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Sorry to hear about everyones frustration with GF's IPO. We've been staying there since the mid 1990's and I have to say, that I have never once been impressed with the pre-planners. Our first stay there, we were total novices and had no clue what the service included. We were never contacted by anyone ahead of time and didn't find out until we arrived, that they could have handled all our dining arrangements and other reservations. Since then, I always contact them right away. They've never been what I would describe as warm and friendly though. When I tried to plan some special things for our 20th anniversary trip, it was like pulling teeth. I wanted something unique, willing to pay extra for it, but they couldn't come up with anything. It was so frustrating. Boy, was I ever blown away when we tried the YC for a change. The girls in that department were amazing. They signed every e-mail and I was treated like a friend, not a reservation number. That's what I thought a Disney based IPO department should have been run like. With the price of club level skyrocketing and service going downhill, they are definitely going to start losing loyal customers. It's a shame, but after reading lots of reports like this, I'm definitely looking at other options for our next trip.

Tammi - we also had a super time with that IPO dept for our BWI stay. I have read that some of the great CMs have moved on to other positions, though....not 100% sure, but that is what it sounds like. I have read of folks having trouble lately with that IPO team.

I will probably wind up talking to the GF concierge manager Tuesday if I do not get any resolution by email or phone on Monday. That would be a whole week since I tried to get in contact with somebody at GF IPO.

Lives4Disney

 

[poohluvrs]

oy vey, I guess I should hold off on my email to IPO about assuring my kids names are on the My Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea Party ressie! Tyler was amazing...hope you get a response Channing!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I am sorry to hear that everyone is having such a frustrating time with the IPO department... especially you, Channing. I know how awful it can be to feel like there are so many loose ends, and so close to your trip...

I really didn't have to contact IPO for too many things, only our cabana rental and a cake delivered to the room upon arrival. It seems that if I would be out of luck if I needed more than that, as I already made all of our ADR's myself (there were only 2).

Hopefully everything will be better this week. Here's some that everyone hears back from IPO soon and all of the details are in order.

I thought vacations were supposed to be relaxing...

 

[TammiMcMan]

Oh, I forgot to address the gift basket question in my post. I just worked with Peggy (Feralpeg) on a basket of goodies for friends that are in Disney this week. She was amazing and even picked up some custom items that weren't included on her inventory sheet. She does charge an additional 20% for the custom shopping, but it was well worth it. Peggy can deliver to the front desk. Then it's up to the resort, whether or not they have a runner available to bring the basket up to your room. Our friends are in a standard room over at the Poly and it got delivered to them without any problem.

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK...First off - you GF fans are awesome. I received the nicest, most helpful PMs from some and THANKS for all the good thoughts there and on the thread!

I phoned IPO this morning and kept hitting redial until I got a human to answer. It wound up being Judy and she was very helpful and nice about everything. Unfortunately, about 2 minutes into our conversation I hear "MOM, I need you!!!!" My daughter thought she was going to be sick! OMG. Had to hang up. She is fine by the way....Whatever it was passed. THANK GOD. Called back a few times to only the machine....finally left a message and Judy phoned back. Sounds like it will all be taken care of. She phoned over to the bakery and got some ideas & possiblities for the cake. (We are going with a Cinderella theme - I will take pics) I feel dorky, but the whole experience is really for my daughters. It is the most fun to see everything thru their eyes, LOL. Judy also took my requests for one thing each for my girls and DH. I have to soften him up for the mega birthday blow of the Grand 1. My girls and I have rehearsed a Lucy/Ethel type conversation we can "perform" at dinner regarding the Wishes cruise and how it can be broken to him. He will probably think nothing of it as it's my bday, but men are weird....very unpredictable. He could think I have lost my marbles or something. ANYway.....we won't go into that, LOL.

I was thinking last night of how this has sort of taken over my world and how stupid that is, really. Sorry for sounding like a whiner. It got out of perspective with the stress of family coming for a weeklong visit and the idea of my MIL probably coming for a monthlong stay after we get back from WDW (UGH)....I was thinking it had to be my perfect trip to make up for that, LOL. Hey, I am going to WDW and the GF!! If I have to eat Twinkies on the yacht - So what!?? I love Twinkies and never get them.

Happy planning, everybody!

Lives4Disney

 

[BrianD]

... but men are weird....very unpredictable....

umm, excuse me? Men are the unpredictable ones?

 

[lynr]

Channing:

I am so glad everything worked out for you. Now you can relax and enjoy your visitors knowing that everything is in place. It must have been all that pixie dust I sent you yesterday!

Lyn

 

[Lives4Disney]

umm, excuse me? Men are the unpredictable ones?

[/QUOTE


oOOoops! Hey, BrianD it was all very tongue in cheek - didn't mean any offense if I did offend ya. But....see all along I was "talking" to my female GF Dis buddies and along comes a man!!! Unpredictable, for sure, LOL!!

Take care,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing:

I am so glad everything worked out for you. Now you can relax and enjoy your visitors knowing that everything is in place. It must have been all that pixie dust I sent you yesterday!

Lyn

Thanks, Lyn!! Now that that is taken care of, I just have to CLEAN my house for company.

YOU have some mega planning to do with that big group you're bringing along!! Wow - more power to ya! I just think you will have such fun.

I hope the IPO gets improved upon, though. It sounds like you really could use some help with all you have to do.

Channing

 

[Allison]

I read the corner rooms have 2 balconies. So, if you are on the first floor in a corner room, do you have 2 patios?

Bump.