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

[Janet2k]

KerriL, I didn't realize the viewing of fireworks was a part of your dining plans (I was strictly going for "privacy"). The Sago Cay area sounds like it will suit your needs perfectly since you want "dinner and a movie" (okay, dinner and some fireworks!). I'll keep my fingers crossed that you have lovely weather. I just adore being outside anywhere at Walt Disney World.

You asked how far in advance I have made my private dinner party plans at the Grand Floridian...

For my Summerhouse dinner party, I had an Event Manager assigned to me due to the complexity (and cost) involved. Those plans were made a few months in advance.

For last month's Marina party, I again had an Event Manager (who also handled my Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal). Those plans were made a few months in advance. (By the way, I hope to share details of that party soon -- the Grand Floridian did a beautiful job with absolutely everything. I truly adore that resort.)

For your dining plans, you are going the very intimate (and very romantic, ~sigh~) route. The Grand Floridian's Private Dining folks can truly handle your plans with only a few days' notice, have no fear. Since you are a concierge guest, I would alert the concierge to your Private Dining needs. Maybe one of the CMs can double-check on things for you the day of your dinner; it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. (However, if you are anything like me, you will be double-checking on things that day, too, leaving nothing so important as your anniversary dinner to chance.)

Have a beautiful vow renewal. Again, congratulations on your happy marriage.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Janet, nice to see you up and posting. I hope you are feeling better and that work requirements are finally levelling off for you.

Kerri, in all the trips that we've ever made to the GF, I have never once seen anyone out on the concierge balcony. I'm sure a few people use it, but if the staff were to block it off from other guests for your use, it wouldn't be a problem for anyone. I wish I could say for sure that you'd be able to see the fireworks from there, but I honestly don't think it would be a great view.

Tammi

 

[KerriL]

Tammi,
Yes, I don't think it(concierge balcony) gets used very much and the CM from Private Dining also said it would not be a great place place to view the fireworks..so that locale is out! If you get back to GF before me..scout out that Sago Cay alcove will ya!!
Janet:
Yes, I think the fireworks would be a wonderful way toof cap off the day and to have the dinner set up outside(yes, please pray for no rain!!) would be so nice. I thought of doing Victoria and Albert's but the kids really scoffed at the menu. A little too gourmet for them. Actually, my daughter is pretty game to try anything once, but my son is very resistant to trying anything "weird". Citricos sounds great, but then I read one of your trip reports and thought I could make this dinner even more special and customize it.
Private Dining sent me a menu that looks more like a room service menu. So, I hope to talk to someone about other options. But it looks like that from your experience, the sky's the limit!! So I will see what we can come up with. Have any ideas send them my way!
Kerri

 

[micmacmissy]

We are staying at GF in Sugar Loaf...I am wondering about the fireworks.

We will be there Dec. 10-15, with little kids who need to be in bed early--for planning purposes, what time do the fireworks start?

If they're early, I may change some PS's...also, I know we won't see them from our suite (I heard it faces marina)...but are there good spots on the GF property to view them?

What restaurants have a view?

Thanks!

 

[Janet2k]

For those of you who have never been on the 3rd floor balcony of the main building, the OurLaughingPlace.com website has a virtual reality photo of that location (I just adore the photos on their website). If you have the free Apple QuickTime software installed on your computer, you should be able to view the virtual reality photo of the 3rd floor balcony (click here).

KerriL, in all my years of staying at the Grand Floridian, I have only been on that balcony maybe once or twice, and only for a few seconds. There is a Dis'er, though, who actually dined on that balcony earlier this year. She had a lovely meal there that was put together for her by Private Dining.

As to Private Dining, they have always told me that whatever my heart desired in the way of food, to just let them know and they would prepare it. When I had them prepare a dinner for me last year, I asked them if I could have desserts from Victoria & Albert's because I adore the Grand Marnier soufflé. Private Dining told me, “No problem.” Our desserts that evening came from Victoria & Albert’s and my soufflé was scrumptious.

TammiMcMan, thank you for the kind wishes.

Micmacmissy, don’t forget to check the “calendar” portion of the official WDW website for all the latest info regarding parade and firework schedules. For your December 10-15th trip, click here (click on the dates in question and a webpage will open that lists the event times). As to where to view the fireworks from, the Water Taxi Dock is a wonderful location, as is the marina area. For restaurant views of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom, you can't beat Narcoossee's (click here).

 

[kelscross]

I see the talk about renewal of vows and special stuff at the GF how do I get info about this?

Thanks

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by kelscross
I see the talk about renewal of vows and special stuff at the GF how do I get info about this?

Kelscross, Disney has an entire division devoted to weddings and vow renewals at quite a few of their theme park locations. To find out more about Disneyland and Walt Disney World weddings and vow renewals, please check out their official website: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons.

If you want to hold a private function at the Grand Floridian Resort, please contact the Grand Floridian's Convention Services folks. They have now handled a few of my private functions. In my humble opinion, they have done a wonderful job with everything. My events turned out better than I ever imagined they would.

I wrote in great detail about this year's Summerhouse dinner party and shared it here on the Dis: click here to begin reading my trip report. I described the planning process that I went through with the Grand Floridian's Convention Services folks as I planned an intimate dinner party and (surprise) dessert party for nine people. It was incredible.

Since I have recently returned from another vacation, I hope to share many details about the party that I hosted at the Grand Floridian’s marina on the night before my Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal. That party was for around 30 people. I actually have two trip reports going regarding that vacation. Click here for the pre-planning trip report. And click here for the actual trip report. I hope to put all the planning details into the first report, and how the party actually turned out into the second trip report. Please let me just state right now that the marina party was beautiful and very relaxing, ~sigh.~ It will be fun to share all the lovely little details that Disney is famous for. Once again, the Grand Floridian folks took my breath away.

Now, if you are looking for a simple dinner for yourself and your significant other or your children, then the Grand Floridian’s Private Dining folks should be able to handle your request. For example, if you want to dine outdoors next to the pool, you simply pick up the House phone and call Private Dining. They will deliver your meal to you as soon as your food has been prepared. I just did this a few weeks ago. I was sitting by myself out near the swimming pool late one afternoon. I didn’t want to go inside for dinner since I was engrossed in my magazines. I walked over to the House phone and placed my dinner order. Approximately 40 minutes later, my meal and beverages were delivered to me. I had a very relaxing meal as I watched the sun set and the moon rise. It was one of the best meals of my entire vacation. I just love being outside at Walt Disney World (especially the Grand Floridian).

 

[kelscross]

Thanks for the info I'm not sure what I might be planning as my situation is really wierd. I divorced almost 3 years ago and since then my ex husband and I have reconciled. He is taking us to WDW for a xmas present.

I want to plan something super special as this is his first time to WDW and our first vacation together ever, married or not. So I don't know if we want to remarry with just us and our little girls privately or if I just want to plan a real special dinner and have fairy godmothers watch the children in the room (they are too young for the Kid's club)

I will check out the site. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

[KerriL]

kelscross,
Congratulations on your reconciliation!! Yours is not a weird situation..I know a few folks who have divorced and found their way back to each other... It is wonderful.
My DH and I were married by a JP and had no real wedding 15 years ago. Our kids DS(15) and DD(14) want to write our vows for us and conduct a very simple ceremony.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Janet,
I do like the idea of having different items from different menus. I am the type that I don't always know what I want until I see it!
I am glad to hear that Private Dining can handle such small dinners with little notice. It is certainly too early to book anything right now, but I will contact them to see if I need to reserve the venue.
I need to find a florist in the Orlando area. I've tried to contact Disney Floral and they put me in touch with FTW. But I've yet to hear from them.
Kerri

 

[Janet2k]

For those of you who are dreaming of your next Walt Disney World vacation, and especially a stay at the grand dame of 'em all, the Grand Floridian, please click here. Enjoy.

 

[jocon]

Hello All,

My wife and I are planning a family vacation during value season and plan
to stay at the GF. We honeymooned at the GF and can't wait to get back
there. We got a GV room only discount in May 2003 and want to know what some of you got for discount rates for a GV during the end of July and early
August. Any help would be great!!!!!

 

[Chicago526]

Hi!

DF and I will be at the GF for our honeymoon in Oct. of '05. My question is, I've read a few other posts about people getting "turret" rooms at the GF. Are these the same as the dormer rooms?

 

[Misti]

Hi!

DF and I will be at the GF for our honeymoon in Oct. of '05. My question is, I've read a few other posts about people getting "turret" rooms at the GF. Are these the same as the dormer rooms?

No, they are classified as the Concierge Honeymoon room in the Main Building. There are two types of rooms in the Concierge Honeymoon category: a King Bed room with a Jacuzzi tub and balcony or the turret rooms with the King Bed (the turret rooms are octagon shaped and don't have a balcony).

The dormer rooms are standard resort rooms (Garden, Lagoon, Lodge Concierge) in the Lodge buildings that are on the top floor. They have vaulted ceilings and a smaller balcony.

 

[MickieD]

Hello all, I'm new but I've been addicted to this GF thread since planning my last trip to GF in April 04. By the way, thanks to all of you knowledgeable people, we had an awesome vacation! I am HOOKED on concierge!!!

Isn't there a high tea at GF or should I look into the Princess Tea party which I think is pretty new?

I'm going in April 05, thanks!

 

[QJ411]

Hi everyone!

I came back from GF/SL mid Dec....I haven't had the chance to post since our return. But just wanted to pop in and say THANKS for all the tips and advice! You guys are the best!

We had a blast, I'll write my report soon...thanks again!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

MickieD -

The Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea is the same as the very traditional tea time you've always heard about. This Tea features a variety of rare teas, crumpets, scones, and berries with Champagne. Ultra-nice Royal Dalton china, too! It is served in the Garden View Lounge from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Priority Seating is recommended.

 

[wildviper]

Janet2k,
Thank you for the wonderful video link. We had to postpone our December trip to MVMCP due to family business. Right now we have rescheduled for an onsite trip at the end of March . Your video link was wonderful because we were able to see videos of a Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts. We decided to start fulfilling our dream of staying at each Disney resort by splitting our stay. We have booked two nights at PC followed by five nights at CS.

Wedding update:
We are in the early planning stages but it lookes like this wonderful event will take place in early '06. We wanted to do it right and not cut corners so our CM suggested we take our time. Heck, we waited 14 years, what's another year & half?

 

[Janet2k]

Wildviper, have fun planning your wedding. Make sure to stop and smell the roses as you do (try not to let the details bog you down too much).

I'm glad the Resorts' video link helped. I must say that I am a little jealous of your upcoming trip. I was going to squeeze in a WDW trip at the very end of this month, but my vacation request at work was turned down yesterday. That really hit me hard. I have been working nonstop since I returned from my vow renewal vacation in November and I was very much looking forward to spending a few days (by myself, no less) at the Grand Floridian Resort. My boss obviously has other plans for me (and you can rest assured that what she has planned for me is not going to be nearly as much fun as what I had planned for myself -- I was going to enjoy hot dogs at Casey's inside the Magic Kingdom and then a scrumptious dinner at Victoria and Albert's inside the Grand Floridian, ~sigh~).

 

[wildviper]

Janet2k,
Here's wishing your boss approves your next request. I also want to thank you for the great trip reports. Reading them brings a little Disney magic to my day.

A few questions about the rooms. Do you prefer standard w/concierge? Are the valuted ceiling rooms larger?

 

[Janet2k]

A few questions about the rooms. Do you prefer standard w/concierge? Are the valuted ceiling rooms larger?

Wildviper, I have done both concierge and non-concierge at the Grand Floridian Resort. I have done regular rooms, vaulted rooms, deluxe rooms, and suites. Do I have a preference for any of the things that I just mentioned? It depends upon what I hope to accomplish with my vacation. That is, if it is a vacation with friends & family, a suite is the way to go. It really adds a very special touch to an already magical time. If it is just my family, I have found that the room really doesn't matter since we're basically never in it (on our last vacation, boy, was that ever true). If I can request a view, however, I prefer to request the Magic Kingdom/Cinderella Caste view. That is my all-time favorite view while staying at the Grand Floridian Resort (I’m actually listening to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s original “Cinderella” soundtrack starring Julie Andrews as I'm typing this – talk about having a Cinderella moment).

As to the size of the vaulted rooms, the one I stayed in last May (click here) was basically the same size as a standard room. The exception was that there was an interior hallway that led into my particular room. That is not true of the other vaulted rooms, I just happened to have a corner room.

For my October Grand Floridian vacation, my room was located in the Main Building. We did not use the services of the Concierge Staff since I had done just about all of the vacation planning myself in the year leading up to that vacation. On the day of my Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal, I found myself in a very frazzled state at the concierge desk. The Concierge Cast Member who handled me was wonderful – a true professional in every sense of the word, and that is saying a lot considering that I was worried that my world was falling apart (oh, the drama of a vow renewal!). I never found the time to thank him before my vacation ended, so I sent him a letter upon my return home. I hope I get the opportunity to see him again during a future Grand Floridian vacation so that I may thank him properly in person.

For the dessert party that my husband and I hosted at the Grand Floridian, it was planned entirely by my wonderful Grand Floridian Event Manager and his Team. I am so bogged down with my job that I have been unable to find the time to write about that party yet in either of the two trip reports that I have on the Dis’ Trip Reports board. I really am anxious to share information about it, especially photos of the yummy desserts that the Grand Floridian prepared. That evening was truly lovely, or as it is so poignantly stated on the Rodgers & Hammerstein “Cinderella” soundtrack: “A lovely night. A lovely night. A finer night you know you'll never see.” That pretty much sums up how I feel about all of my nights at the Grand Floridian Resort, ~sigh.~