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

[BCV23]

I am so excited! We just upgraded to the Grand Floridian for our upcoming trip in September!!

I have a question about the beds....last time I stayed at the GF was in 2003 in Sugar Loaf concierge. I have heard that the matresses have been updated since then? I have heard that all of the monorail resorts ---Contemporary, Poly, and the Grand Floridian have received new comfy beds....I know that the Contemporary and Poly have undergone massive room rehabs, but the GF has not....did they still get the comfy beds too???
TIA

Yep, pillowtop mattresses which are comfy indeed. We saw some being delivered in summer of '04.

 

[Michelle2]

Yay! Thanks so much. My sister would have killed me if I moved us from a resort that had them to one that didn't. I knew you guys would know.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi,
I am sorry to bother you but I also noticed a suite with the code BO. Can you give me any info on this type of room? It seems perfect.
Thanks, Tony

You'll have to disregard those. They're villa layouts and not for the GF.

 

[PatriciaH]

Hi! Does anyone have current info for private dining (menus, prices, etc..?) I would like to do dinner on 12.24 for DH and I on our balcony. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary in Mexico but we thought it would be nice to do a Christmas stay at GF as well. We have a lagoon view booked for 12.23 and 12.24. Dinner on 12.23 will be at Victoria and Alberts Hoping to book something at the spa on 12.23 as well.

I am going by the FAQ for info on views. "Lagoon View Guestrooms are available in Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. Guests staying in a Lagoon View Guestroom in Sago Cay or Conch Key have a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom Park, and Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks. Guests in Boca Chica and the far wing of Big Pine Key also have Magic Kingdom Views, as well as full views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts. They also have wonderful views of the nightly showing of the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Lagoon View Guestrooms in Big Pine Key facing south have views of the resort’s theme pool, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort."

So going by the FAQ the only lagoon view rooms that do not have a castle/MK view are the South facing Big Pine Key ones?

Thank you! So excited!

 

[BrianD]

...
I am going by the FAQ for info on views. "Lagoon View Guestrooms are available in Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. Guests staying in a Lagoon View Guestroom in Sago Cay or Conch Key have a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom Park, and Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks. Guests in Boca Chica and the far wing of Big Pine Key also have Magic Kingdom Views, as well as full views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts. They also have wonderful views of the nightly showing of the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Lagoon View Guestrooms in Big Pine Key facing south have views of the resort’s theme pool, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort."

So going by the FAQ the only lagoon view rooms that do not have a castle/MK view are the South facing Big Pine Key ones?

Thank you! So excited!

For the most part. It is possible to get a lagoon view room in Boca Chica that does not have a MK view. We were there last year, and there was a tree that blocked the view of the MK.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi! Does anyone have current info for private dining (menus, prices, etc..?) I would like to do dinner on 12.24 for DH and I on our balcony.

I'd suggest that you call the GF directly and ask for the private dining department. You have so many choices, that maybe they can fax something over to you. Just an FYI, that you aren't limited to dining on your balcony. The GF offers a few private locations that may be more romantic. You can have a butler too. The prices are not out of line and the total cost will probably be in the V&A's ballpark.

As to the views, Conch Key and Sago Cay will give you head on views. Boca Chica's are more at an angle and as BrianD mentioned, they also have some tall trees that can give you an obstructed view.

 

[BCV23]

The year we were at the GF on 12/24 through the New Years, there was also a special room service (private dining in Disney speak) menu for both Christmas Eve and Day. I think the restaurants are so booked they offer this too. We didn't order either night as we did have dining reservations but I remember thinking the menu looked great.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Tammi,
I am sorry to bother you but I also noticed a suite with the code BO. Can you give me any info on this type of room? It seems perfect.
Thanks, Tony

There is a "BO" room at the Grand Floridian, but it is not a suite. It is a "Concierge Deluxe" room. There are two floor plans. It has two queen beds, and sleeps a maximum of 4. It is basically an enlarged standard room -- a bit more extra space is really the only difference.

 

[PatriciaH]

Thank you for the help everyone!

 

[PammyPoppins]

Patricia H,
Tell us about living in Celebration? Do you love living there? How often do you go to the parks? Do you work for Disney?
PammyPoppins

 

[Janet2k]

Hi, everyone. I haven’t been on the Dis in weeks and am only bopping in here now to tell everyone who has just returned from the GF, “Welcome home!” I’ll try to catch up on the thread, read everyone’s trip reports, and view everyone’s photos soon. I am especially looking forward to reviewing Lives4Disney’s photos (I hope you gave MickeyMac a run for her money on the Grand 1 photos!). By the way, Lives4Disney, it sounds like your vacation was lovely. What wonderful memories your family must have, ~sigh.~

 

[Janet2k]

I’ve been in WDW for almost two weeks now. I am presently at my favorite resort, the Grand Floridian, and am having the most ~magical~ stay. My daughter and I are staying in a turret room and it is beautiful, especially the view that extends from Cinderella’s Castle all the way to the Wedding Pavilion. I haven’t taken any photos of our room yet but plan on doing so very soon. As soon as I do, I will place them into an on-line album and share the link to them here.

A few of you had PM’ed me over the past couple of months with questions regarding Victoria & Albert’s. I had planned on dining there with several of my friends. Well, I am sorry to say that I cancelled that dinner reservation. Why? Because I wanted to do something that incorporated our entire group (all fifteen of us) and not just a few of us. I contacted the Grand Floridian’s Convention Services folks, and with their help, planned a dessert party at the resort’s marina. The party turned out beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time. I will forever be indebted to the Convention Services folks. They gave my daughter and I (and our friends) memories that will last a lifetime. By the way, I hired Disney Photography to photograph the event and will share a few of those photos as soon as I can find the time.

I will close for now. My daughter has the Pirates Cruise to attend this morning and it’s time to get her out of bed.

 

[TammiMcMan]

There is a "BO" room at the Grand Floridian, but it is not a suite. It is a "Concierge Deluxe" room. There are two floor plans. It has two queen beds, and sleeps a maximum of 4. It is basically an enlarged standard room -- a bit more extra space is really the only difference.

Thanks Tyler. I do have both the deluxe floorplans on my website. It was just the one that was titled "villa suite" that needed to be disregarded.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I’ve been in WDW for almost two weeks now. I am presently at my favorite resort, the Grand Floridian, and am having the most ~magical~ stay. My daughter and I are staying in a turret room and it is beautiful, especially the view that extends from Cinderella’s Castle all the way to the Wedding Pavilion. I haven’t taken any photos of our room yet but plan on doing so very soon. As soon as I do, I will place them into an on-line album and share the link to them here.

A few of you had PM’ed me over the past couple of months with questions regarding Victoria & Albert’s. I had planned on dining there with several of my friends. Well, I am sorry to say that I cancelled that dinner reservation. Why? Because I wanted to do something that incorporated our entire group (all fifteen of us) and not just a few of us. I contacted the Grand Floridian’s Convention Services folks, and with their help, planned a dessert party at the resort’s marina. The party turned out beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time. I will forever be indebted to the Convention Services folks. They gave my daughter and I (and our friends) memories that will last a lifetime. By the way, I hired Disney Photography to photograph the event and will share a few of those photos as soon as I can find the time.

I will close for now. My daughter has the Pirates Cruise to attend this morning and it’s time to get her out of bed.

Janet - I am glad you are having a wonderful time. I am envious of you!! Doesn't matter that I just got back home - I MISS that place!!

One quick question - How did you get the turret room?? Did you request the turret room??? What is the bed situation in a turret room?? Does it sleep 4 or only 2?

THANKS! Let the fun continue!! Happy vacationing!

Lives4Disney

 

[PatriciaH]

Patricia H,
Tell us about living in Celebration? Do you love living there? How often do you go to the parks? Do you work for Disney?
PammyPoppins

I do love Celebration. We got a very nice deal on our condo last year and it has doubled since. It is in a quiet spot with woods on both sides. We are a 1 minute walk to the pool (large) and weight room. We are a 5 minute walk to the village pool and 10 minute walk to downtown. DH has been biking all over the trails at night and is seeing owls, hawks, pather kit, fox, deer, etc.. We have beautiful birds all over town (Egrets, storks, Ibis, wild turkey.)

I work seasonally for WDW in concierge. DH works in Marketing. I also own a pet-sitting business and home based travel agency. Pay is much less than up north. Hopefully this will change as cost of living is very high now (as much as up north.) Taxes are going up as is gas, electric-you all know this too!

It is awesome being able to drop in to WDW on a whim. We eat there a lot! We have never stayed at the GF and wanted to try it. I am quite excited and it is a nice mini-vacation It is also good to know for concierge questions and travel questions. I try to always stay on top of travel info for my clients.

 

[lynr]

I just signed up for the Enchanted Calls from Disney. I think is so great I am having Mickey call everyone the day before we leave. Has anyone every used this? It's only $2.49 to have a called placed and they have 11 different character choices.

Now I did have to tell a little lie to everyone because I had to make up a story to get everyone to answer their phone at 9 AM and press 1.

I said due to hightened security Carnival Cruiseline was going to be calling them to verify their information personally because they are over 18, so they needed to look out for a call on their cell phone that started with 866 and to press 1 to get a person. I now just hope they all answer their cell phone's or I wasted $$.

Here is the link if anyone is interested http://www.disneyenchantedcalls.com/

 

[Tinkaroo]

I just signed up for the Enchanted Calls from Disney. I think is so great I am having Mickey call everyone the day before we leave. Has anyone every used this? It's only $2.49 to have a called placed and they have 11 different character choices.

Now I did have to tell a little lie to everyone because I had to make up a story to get everyone to answer their phone at 9 AM and press 1.

I said due to hightened security Carnival Cruiseline was going to be calling them to verify their information personally because they are over 18, so they needed to look out for a call on their cell phone that started with 866 and to press 1 to get a person. I now just hope they all answer their cell phone's or I wasted $$.

Here is the link if anyone is interested http://www.disneyenchantedcalls.com/

I have never had one myself, but we had "Ariel" call my niece for her 4th b-day in January. She was beside herself!!! Her parents said she just stood there with her mouth open. I'm sure your family will love it!

 

[Janet2k]

How did you get the turret room?

Lives4Disney, I only requested a non-smoking room. It was pure Disney magic that I received the turret room.

Our room is in the Main Building (room 4321) and my daughter & I just watched a fireworks display at the Wedding Pavilion (it is still light outside here in Florida). It reminded me of my own Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal a year and a half ago (be still my heart).

 

[Janet2k]

I was interrupted a short while ago by someone who was delivering a glass slipper floral arrangement to my room. I am in the middle of doing laundry and only in the most magical place on earth could someone interrupt such a mundane activity by handing me a glass slipper. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I probably never would have believed it (and neither will my husband when I relay the story to him this evening).

You see, a French TV crew was conducting an interview on the main building’s 3rd floor balcony late yesterday afternoon. They needed some extra power outlets for their spotlights and asked if they could use the ones in my room. I was happy to help and gave them access to my room. Since my daughter and I had dinner reservations with a few of our favorite Dis’ers at the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill, we had to leave before the interview had been completed. When I returned late last night, the French TV crew was gone and everything in my room was as it should be. Before I fell asleep, I wondered if the interview had gone well.

Well, imagine my surprise when the glass slipper floral arrangement was delivered to me a short while ago. I had no idea who it was from. I asked the delivery person to read the gift card to me as I held the floral arrangement in my hands. As soon as he had read what was written, I had to laugh out loud. How touching that Disney and the French TV crew would thank me in the most ~magical~ way imaginable.

So, that is how my vacation has been going. It has been filled with all sorts of wonderful surprises and the most beautiful memories. I truly am the luckiest girl in all of Walt Disney World.

 

[Janet2k]

I was hoping to post a few photos this evening but Disney’s Internet provider has been having network routing issues all week long. I am going crazy without access to my Yahoo account. Without access, I am unable to read my e-mail and unable to post my photos. Hopefully, the problem will be fixed soon and I can share with you just a few of the magical things that my family has been experiencing here at the Grand Floridian Resort: a beautiful turret room, a Grand 1 fireworks cruise, a private party at the marina, an incredible Tinker Belle chocolate arrangement, a beautiful glass slipper floral arrangement, and so on.

As to the Grand Floridian Resort, the staff could not be any kinder to my family if they tried. I always say that our vacations at this resort can never be topped, but somehow they keep proving me wrong.

After this vacation has come to an end, I can finally say that I have stayed in every single one of the official Disney resorts in the Continental USA (both Florida and California). I think my new quest will be to stay in each of the rooms here at the Grand Floridian Resort. After all, it is my favorite resort and it is only fitting that I experience it to the max.