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

[TammiMcMan]

Queenie,

One ps together is a good thing. There's so much at the GF that your DS will have no problem finding something to do. Even when I go away with just DH, we always split up at some point. He hangs out in the healthclub and I love exploring on my own. We just celebrated our 21st, so you can see that we've grown very comfortable with each other.

I haven't eaten at V&A, mainly because DH refuses to pack a suit and tie when we go on "vacation". It does look lovely though. Narcoossees has great food and a great view, but it can fill up with families and get a bit noisy. If you're looking for romance, I might scratch that off the list. You also have Citrico's, which is a little more upscale and right in the main building. They are closed on Monday & Tuesday though. If you want to stay local, the views at the California Grill can't be beat. You can see some of the fireworks from Illuminations, Wishes and even the electric water parade. DH and I have eaten there and loved the food. We also tried Jiko and the AKL is the utmost in romance. We arrived early and strolled around the grounds to view the animals. Dinner was fabulous and french pressed coffee, yummy. Have you looked at the menus yet? Deb Willis has a detailed listing on her site http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#res . That's normally how I pick restaurants, based on the entree and dessert menu of course.

Christine posted the information for the GF Bakery. She called this number 407-824-2978. I know that they can help out with any type of cake that you're interested in.

Tammi

 

[QJ411]

Hi

I emailed GF Planning this morning and have been corresponding with them through emails. Well, we just added one more to the PS, ...but y'know...the CM wasn't as friendly as I hoped them to be...I emailed them twice this week regarding the PS and inquired about adding a guest, and they replied, but very general. Not very..."magical", I've read posts that rave about GF planning team and I was so excited to email them. Am I being petty? I'm sorry...

Oh well, no biggie, at least its done and over with, everything should be in place now...I think from now on, if I had any other questions or requests re: GF/SL, I'll just call CRO instead. They're much nicer and friendlier.

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by QJ411

::S::: I am SO Tempted to add one more day to my ressies... We're supposed to leave Sat. (So we can pick up our baby boys - dogs - from puppy camp on Sunday...but...if we can sneak ONE more night at GF/SL...and pick up the puppies at camp on Monday..hmmmm...... What do you think?

Queenie - Oh yes you really must add another day! We did this for our Dec. trip. But really it is so Magical that we just had to.

I agree with Tammi. If your sister will be with you, then the least you can do is have a private PS with DH. Just the two of you. I also agree with Tammi's DH, if I am on vacation, I want to be casual. But that is just me.

edited to add:
By the way, your DH is a very generous soul to allow your Sis to join you and "bunk" with you.

Any thought about booking a 2 bedroom suite? I know, I know, its expensive. But as I was re-reading your posts, I thought, A 2 bedroom suite would give them privacy and would be so luxurious.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Queenie, don't worry, it's not you. I've never had the "warm fuzzies" with anyone in the GF IPO department. The only one on the boards that I've heard them go out of the way for is Janet2K. Even BambiTamby in the lizard lounge mentioned the same thing. Did they e-mail you a copy of your itinerary after you made the changes? I would definitely have them do that. I'm not suggesting that they make mistakes, but it's always nice to see it in black and white before you go.

Now that I'm doing YC, I definitely can see what I've been missing with some of these pre-planners. The girls I've been working with always add a smiley into their e-mails. Maybe the training is different, but I really do like working with the CM's who have that added magic.

Tammi

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Tammi - I have to agree with you (again) about how cheerful and full of Disney Magic the Epcot resort IPO staff is.

I remember once or twice, that I had to call them about some stuff for our August trip. I was having a tough day at work, and was not in the most pleasant frame of mind. Well let me tell you, the way I was treated by the IPO CMs, the cheerfulness that was evident in their voice, and the genuine joy that they had in helping me, put a whole new spin on the day.

Since we have not been to Disney before and have never done any other type of concierge, I have nothing to compare it to. But working with them was a wonderful experience.

 

[samnbilly]

I totally agree with the lack of warm fuzzies at GF IPO. I am splitting my stay this trip-5days GF and 4 nights BC. The BC/YC IPO has been so helpful and accomodating compared to the GF. If the GF wasn't so close to the MK and my kids weren't still kind of small I would switch my whole trip to BC or split my stay between the BC and YC or BWI. I was almost tempted to to also switch to the Poly for part of my trip, and if I could have gotten the 14th floor at CR I think I could have went there too. Well, always next time!

 

[QJ411]

Oh how I would LOVE to try a 2 BR suite...my wallet is screaming mercy already... so maybe next year...

I'm still trying to decide on where to have our private anniversary dinner. The actual date of our anniversary, we'll be on the Wonder, but we'd still want to celebrate while at GF. I'm a bit torn between Citricos & CG...which is really more "romantic" ? And if we go w/ CG, would GF bakery deliver the mini cake there or should we have it in our room? I just thought the mini cake would be nice.

Oh, the more I talk to you guys about it, the more excited I am!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

But I will seriously consider staying that extra day...we got the AP rates when it came out, so it was a great deal...I'm not sure if they'll give me the same rate again if I add another night... we'll see...

 

[TammiMcMan]

Queenie, another option for your dinner is to do something private. The GF will work with you on putting it together. You might want to call private dining and see what your options are. That would certainly be one of a kind.

Private dining: 407-824-2598

Tammi

 

[BambiTamby]

Great idea about the private dining, Tammi!!!!

 

[DisneyNotes]

I'm starting to get concerned. For those that have posted a lack of warmth with the GF CMs, is that just the planning emails and phone calls or do you notice that during your stays as well?

 

[wdarling]

DISNEY NOTES~ I have been staying at the GF for the past 15 years and never once encountered a problem. CMs and guests have been nothing but super nice to us. I have a list of stories to share of lil magical moments the CMs have sprinkled upon us. most recently this past year there was some confusion with the room we had requested. the GF gave us a reservation at Narcossee's on the 4th of July(which was booked solid) as well as an autograph picture of mickey and minnie for my parent's anniversary. 2 days later a great room became available and CMs moved us out and up within minutes. We call the GF to keep in touch all the time and my dad does alot of busniess in florida and will always stop by the GF. they know our family now and take great care of us. have no worries it's truly a magical place!

 

[DisneyNotes]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I must say that they've been wonderful through the planning process.

 

[TammiMcMan]

DisneyNotes, I wouldn't be too concerned. The GF is a beautiful place and we have some wonderful memories. The CM's there are very professional and I think it's because they're trained to fit in with the theme of the resort. Very victorian elegence, so they sort of just drift into the background unless something is needed. Some guests really appreciate that, while others might see it as a certain coolness. Last January my DH and I had a celebration there. It was our 20th anniversary and I was really looking to do something special. I talked to my pre-planner about what my options were and it was like pulling teeth. She just kept pushing Victoria & Alberts even though I told her we were not interested. Well, I let it go and just went on with the rest of my planning. When we arrived, it was very different. The staff CM's honestly went out of their way to ensure that we had a great time. I wouldn't hesitate going back or recommending the GF to someone else.

Tammi

 

[DisneyNotes]

Your reply about the professional behavior of the GF RPC CMs really made my day. That's good for me. Even though it's vacation, we are usually on a tight schedule and efficiency is at the top of my list. I think this will work out just fine. Thanks for your help.

 

[BambiTamby]

Yes! Travis and Denny have been very nice, cordial and profesional in all our emails and phone calls.

this will be my first stay at the GF, much less RPC!
I am soooo excited!!!!!

 

[DisneyNotes]

We've stayed GF before and I have absolutely NO complaints. It's sheer perfection, especially during the holiday season. I'm just a hands on planner and I'm having a hard time leaving the details to someone else. BUT, I'm giving it a try this time. So far, they've been very detailed with all of my planning. I have a long list. They didn't seem to mind at all. The lobby filled with music is enough to make a vacation magical for me.

 

[jjohnson]

Could someone confirm that the smoking building for standard rooms is Big Pine Key & not Sago Cay. Thanks.

 

[Janet2k]

The Mickey Mouse Bombe dessert was prepared by the Grand Floridian’s Bakery for my Summerhouse party. Here is a photo of the dessert: click here. I did not eat the dessert but my daughter did. It was filled with yellow cake and some sort of creamy filling: click here (you can see remnants of the dessert in that photo). The dessert’s ears were made out of Nilla Wafers that were coated in chocolate, and the entire dessert sat on a bed of chocolate-coated Rice Krispies. My daughter proclaimed the Mickey Mouse Bombe delicious.

Someone brought up the subject of the Grand Floridian’s Itinerary Planning Office. Whenever they have corresponded with me, they were always professional, courteous, and friendly. When I had the opportunity to meet with them in person, they were professional, courteous, friendly, and warm. It was a pleasure meeting them, and the reservations that they had made for my family went off without a hitch. I could not have asked for more.

My family will be staying at the Grand for three nights in just a few weeks. I don’t expect this stay to be any different than our last two stays. Well, I take that back. We won’t be in the resort much at all, and that makes me sad because the Grand is such a gorgeous, gorgeous resort – and absolutely perfect for my family to relax in. But this vacation will see us spending a lot of time at the BoardWalk Villas with the bulk of our family and friends who are joining us for our Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal.

I haven’t mentioned this yet in my vow renewal trip report on the Dis’ Trip Reports Board, but my husband and I are hosting a dessert party on the night before our vow renewal at the Grand Floridian’s Marina. My Event Manager (the same gentleman who put together my family’s Summerhouse dinner party) has some really fun touches planned for our party. Several weeks ago, I had the audacity to ask him to plan “a simple dessert party with a few desserts and some ice-cold drinks.” That’s all that I asked for. Boy, I admit it, I am so stupid sometimes. I forget that I am working with some of the most creative people on the planet. Anyhow, the dessert party proposal that he sent back to me completely took my breath away. I decided right on the spot that I would not share the details of it with any of my guests. Heck, I even decided to keep the details of it a secret from my own husband. All that I have told everyone is that there will be desserts and drinks at the Grand Floridian’s Marina. End of Story. And that is how it will stay until everyone arrives at the marina and sees the fun details that my Event Manager and his team have dreamed up. The looks upon my guests' faces should be priceless (especially my own husband's).

Yes, I am really looking forward to my upcoming Grand Floridian Resort stay. The resort has always held a very special place in my family’s heart. That is where our love of Walt Disney World began.

 

[minnie my my]

Hi everyone,

BCV23 and BaciBecky thank you for responding to my questions. You were very helpful for my planning. It is nice to have a phone number to call for those fabulous desserts. I would like to have them ordered before I leave.

All of this talk about these desserts has got me wanting to leave now. Thanks for the pictures Janet2K. I have always enjoyed your pictures.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

jjohnson


I've just returned from the GF - the standard smoking rooms are in Big Pine Key. Although I am not a smoker I did ask during to check-in to be sure. Occassionaly there would be someone outside other Lodges sitting on a bench smoking. Also, smoking was allowed at the tables by the pool bar and around the pool. Sometimes I found it difficult to find a smoke free place to sit.

Hope this helps.

Christine