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

[TammiMcMan]

Janet, all I can say is WOW! It sounds like another magical Disney trip for you and your daughter . So glad that you are both having fun and are being treated so well. Just a quick question, if you happen to notice while you're there. How many cabana's do they have down by the theme pool now and are they all rentals?

 

[johnsonet]

Janet - All I can do is second what Tammi said...WOW!!

Your trip sounds absolutely fantastic and it's so nice to hear of all your pixie dust I'm very happy for you!

Can you tell us a bit more about the "Tinker Belle chocolate arrangement"? Is it something you received through the Disney Florist? Or GF Private Dining?

Looking forward to more details and, of course, your wonderful photos!!

Most importantly - enjoy yourself

 

[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.)

Thanks, Patrica It sounds just lovely in Celebration.
PammyPoppins

 

[Lives4Disney]

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.

THAT is exactly how I feel everytime we stay there. It just gets better and better!! Thanks for the great review! Glad you are having such a terrific time on your vacation full of magic. I can't wait to see your pics.

I am still curious about the turret type room. Are there two queens or just a king?? Is this considered a honeymoon room?? Is it larger than a standard room?? Tammi - I checked out your floorplans and didn't see it - I am just very curious, but I am thinking it's probably just a king. I am also wondering about the Tinkerbelle chocolates! Sounds adorable.

Happy vacationing!!

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

I am still curious about the turret type room. Are there two queens or just a king?? Is this considered a honeymoon room?? Is it larger than a standard room?? Tammi - I checked out your floorplans and didn't see it - I am just very curious, but I am thinking it's probably just a king.

I have it on my floorplans. It's actually coded BP Honeymoon, option #1 (all the way to the bottom of that page). DH and I had the same room, just up on the 5th floor. The floorplan just doesn't do it justice though. The room is incredible and much larger than a standard. The only thing you might miss is the balcony, but Janet's on the 3rd floor and the concierge balcony is only a few steps from her door.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have it on my floorplans. It's actually coded BP Honeymoon, option #1 (all the way to the bottom of that page). DH and I had the same room, just up on the 5th floor. The floorplan just doesn't do it justice though. The room is incredible and much larger than a standard. The only thing you might miss is the balcony, but Janet's on the 3rd floor and the concierge balcony is only a few steps from her door.

Thanks!! I will go take another look. I was thinking it was a honeymoon room from what I remember reading - It sounds lovely with all those windows!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

I just upgraded to the Atrium Club at the CR. I'll let you all know how the new lounge is and take lots of pics. It'll be fun to compare it to SugarLoaf and the GF. But I don't think you can top the GF at Christmas.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just upgraded to the Atrium Club at the CR. I'll let you all know how the new lounge is and take lots of pics. It'll be fun to compare it to SugarLoaf and the GF. But I don't think you can top the GF at Christmas.

Good for you!!! Keep planning and changing and updating, LOL! That new lounge sounds beautiful Have fun

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Good for you!!! Keep planning and changing and updating, LOL! That new lounge sounds beautiful Have fun

Lives4Disney

You and I are so alike. Wonder if they have a Walt Disney Suite at the CR...

 

[traci]

I am eager to hear about the CR...I have also thoght of staying there. I keep hearing the castle view is the most amazing there.

I wonder which rooms/floors do you need to guarantee that million dollar view anyway?

 

[triplefigs]

I am eager to hear about the CR...I have also thought of staying there. I keep hearing the castle view is the most amazing there.

I wonder which rooms/floors do you need to guarantee that million dollar view anyway?

You can get a Tower MK View room which guarantees the view. In concierge it is like the GF and request only. So, I have a 50/50 chance. It is not full at all and I was even able to upgrade today to Concierge and KEEP free dining. Must be really slow. So, I'm praying my odds are even better for a MK view. The new lounge has balconies outside to watch the fireworks, so worst case scenario we just go to the lounge. I'll take tons of pictures.

 

[Lives4Disney]

You can get a Tower MK View room which guarantees the view. In concierge it is like the GF and request only. So, I have a 50/50 chance. It is not full at all and I was even able to upgrade today to Concierge and KEEP free dining. Must be really slow. So, I'm praying my odds are even better for a MK view. The new lounge has balconies outside to watch the fireworks, so worst case scenario we just go to the lounge. I'll take tons of pictures.

Denise You will love the CR. Your kids will just be thrilled with the place. It is so action packed and you can just feel the excitement down on the 4th floor concourse with all the GREAT shops (I think these are the best of all the WDW resorts) and Chef Mickeys music continuously and of course the monorails zipping thru. It is a really fun place. Actually, we did stay in a suite a couple years ago at the CR - it was shabby - I mean like ripped wallpaper, lipstick smears on the bathroom walls, tiles caving in from the ceiling, black mold all over the grout.....it was just really rundown. I was so sad to have spent so much $ on it. They took $300 off the total (whoopee) because I mentioned some issues with our room, but I wouldn't do it again until I know the 14th floor has been redone and I see pics and proof, LOL. The new rooms look wonderful and the MK view from any floor is just gorgeous. If you don't check in and get a MK view, just ask to switch the next morning. You are lucky to be going during a slow season because you're right you will have a much better chance. We have been to the CR the most - that was our favorite place til that icky suite incident - and I have always lucked out with a MK view.

Happy planning, and rearranging, and planning, and changing,....LOL!!! I am glad you got the Atrium Club!!

Your statement about the GF at Xmas hit home..... I am embarrassed to say I booked a GF ressie for over Xmas a couple days ago. I felt like I won the lottery because I had the Poly booked (hate that place but had a AAA rate on GVC and it was CHEAP and from staying YC I just decided monorail is best)...anyway I called and the NICEST CM was playing around checking things for me and BAM! ONE GF RPC room opened up for exactly my dates 12/19 - 12/27!! I snatched it up!! We will see though..... I figured (and DH, agrees) that for the tons of $$ we spend on gifts, decorations, all that miscellaneous Xmas junk, etc, and tons of toys the girls do not need for one day, we would do a "Skipping Christmas" thing and just go to WDW for a week. I made all my ADRs etc, but I am not getting too hopeful. We are committed to visit family in AZ this year for Tgiving so there are only 3 wks between returning from AZ and leaving for FL, so not enough time to enjoy a home Xmas anyway.....

I would not go in March 2007 over spring break in the case we go in December. That $900+/nt really had me questioning it.

These boards have put me in touch with too many other WDW addicts. I am just feeding my habit and more than ever. It is bad!!


Lives4Disney

 

[eeyore45]

I am so glad someone sent me over here to read Janet's trip reports - I just love reading (ok living vicarously thru!!) about the magic!! If you stop in Janet, do know that I booked the GF Pirate Cruise based on a trip report from your dd!! I read it out loud to my dd9, and she cant wait!! So thank you for spreading the magic!!

(so there's the post on resorts asking about the Pirate cruise, and someone from here posted... so of course I came a runnin to check it out!! )

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, you will have such a great time at Christmas! I'm totally jealous again. BTW, your dog is great, but when are you going to put some of the new pics from your b'day trip into your sig?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, you will have such a great time at Christmas! I'm totally jealous again. BTW, your dog is great, but when are you going to put some of the new pics from your b'day trip into your sig?

Denise, new pics will be coming shortly. I have some cute vacation pics.

The more my DH and I talk about the Xmas trip vs. more junk for our kids (and surprisingly they agree, too), the more a trip makes sense.....and since it seems it was meant to be, LOL, with that room popping up open.....

I am jealous of you!! Getting to go in Sept! You will just have a ball because the place will be your own. The concierge (s) at the GF that I asked all agreed Sept is one of the best times of the yr to go.

Take care -

Channing

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I am embarrassed to say I booked a GF ressie for over Xmas a couple days ago. I felt like I won the lottery because I had the Poly booked (hate that place but had a AAA rate on GVC and it was CHEAP and from staying YC I just decided monorail is best)...anyway I called and the NICEST CM was playing around checking things for me and BAM! ONE GF RPC room opened up for exactly my dates 12/19 - 12/27!! I snatched it up!! We will see though..... I figured (and DH, agrees) that for the tons of $$ we spend on gifts, decorations, all that miscellaneous Xmas junk, etc, and tons of toys the girls do not need for one day, we would do a "Skipping Christmas" thing and just go to WDW for a week. I made all my ADRs etc, but I am not getting too hopeful. We are committed to visit family in AZ this year for Tgiving so there are only 3 wks between returning from AZ and leaving for FL, so not enough time to enjoy a home Xmas anyway.....

I would not go in March 2007 over spring break in the case we go in December. That $900+/nt really had me questioning it.

These boards have put me in touch with too many other WDW addicts. I am just feeding my habit and more than ever. It is bad!!


Lives4Disney

Channing, I am so glad that you are able to get to the GF again at Christmas time!! I can't wait to be there. We are coming in to the GF on the 16th, the wedding is on the 21st, then we leave to spend Christmas at home on the 23rd.... We will be in RPC, and I have put in a request for a turret room, so I will have a large closet that will hold my huge wedding dress....

Also, I have pictures of the turret room we had in July, let me know and I will post them....

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, I am so glad that you are able to get to the GF again at Christmas time!! I can't wait to be there. We are coming in to the GF on the 16th, the wedding is on the 21st, then we leave to spend Christmas at home on the 23rd.... We will be in RPC, and I have put in a request for a turret room, so I will have a large closet that will hold my huge wedding dress....

Also, I have pictures of the turret room we had in July, let me know and I will post them....

Angela! I hope we stick with our plans & get to see you taking pics around the GF in your beautiful dress! That is always so wonderful - seeing the brides & grooms all over the GF property. I knew your wedding was approaching, but didn't know when....what a great time of year to get married.

I would love to see pics of the turret room! I would love to stay in one, but with my family, it's probably a no go, LOL as they are honeymoon rooms.

Channing

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Thanks so much, Channing! The wedding is getting close, and I start to stress everytime I thik about it. Planning a wedding from 700 miles away can wear on you after a couple of months...

Here are some pictures of the honeymoon turret room. We had room 4030, on the 3rd floor... When you are faming that side of the building from the lounge, they are on the right, toward the front of the building...

Here, you can see the walk-in closet....

And, the view...

Enjoy!!! The room really is lovely, maybe you can go on a kid-free vacation one day....

 

[Glorydaz]

wow!! those pictures are absolutely beautiful! first off, congrats on your wedding ....my other half and I are getting married Halloween of 2007 and will take a delayed honeymoon in December...

so here's where I need your help.. we want to stay concierge for 2 nights ( 12/11 & 12/12) before we set sail on the Wonder for 3 days and then return to Saratoga for 5 more nights.. I really wanted to be in Disney for my birthday ( the 19th) and I've also never seen Disney at Christmas...sounds gorgeous!

we are DVC members and will be using points for our concierge stay...my question is, which resort??? I had my heart set on GF ...but I want to know, is the Contemporary or the Poly better? we won't have many requests of the concierge BUT I am thinking of renting the Grand One for an hour cruise - that looks incredible!!!

I've been trying to read this whole thread in between working.. but it's not quite so easy!

looking forward to some guidance....

thanks a bunch Michelle

 

[Lives4Disney]

wow!! those pictures are absolutely beautiful! first off, congrats on your wedding ....my other half and I are getting married Halloween of 2007 and will take a delayed honeymoon in December...

so here's where I need your help.. we want to stay concierge for 2 nights ( 12/11 & 12/12) before we set sail on the Wonder for 3 days and then return to Saratoga for 5 more nights.. I really wanted to be in Disney for my birthday ( the 19th) and I've also never seen Disney at Christmas...sounds gorgeous!

we are DVC members and will be using points for our concierge stay...my question is, which resort??? I had my heart set on GF ...but I want to know, is the Contemporary or the Poly better? we won't have many requests of the concierge BUT I am thinking of renting the Grand One for an hour cruise - that looks incredible!!!

I've been trying to read this whole thread in between working.. but it's not quite so easy!

looking forward to some guidance....

thanks a bunch Michelle

Michelle - just wanted to reply quick (kids are waiting for me!) OK - I have stayed at all 3 of the resorts you are thinking about and I can tell you without one hesitation the GF beats them hands down 100% for service and friendliness of the CMs and concierge staff and so much more - especially during the holiday season - the place is just beautiful. The GF is the best all the way.

If you are there 12/11 and 12/12, you will see all the Xmas decorations. They go up before Thanksgiving. It is beautiful! I don't know when the window opens for booking the Grand 1 as I think I just got really lucky when I booked it for my 40th bday and it happened to be available, but as soon as you make your reservations YOU call the marina and also have IPO start trying to get it for you, too. I had a really difficult time connecting with anybody at the marina and so did IPO.....that can be a challenge. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Have a wonderful time.

Lives4Disney