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

[Chicago526]

There are 6 turret rooms in the GF Main Building Concierge. They are completely different than the honeymoon rooms with jacuzzi, which is just a jetted tub in the bathroom.

I have stayed in all, and the room we get all the time now is #4021- it is our room when we visit WDW. It is the turret room that has views of the mk, monorail, Epcot, and the pools and lagoon. It also overlooks the hotel lobby. There is no balcony in these rooms. They are octogon in shape surrounded by windows, with a 4 poster bed. Ther is a nice sitting area, love seat, chair armoir with tv, a big mirrored wetbar - sink fridge and counter, and a huge walk in clsoet. The tub is large and oval, no jets and double sinks. It is the best room I have ever ben in in WDW, as you can sit in bed and see the castle and the Epcot ball, watch the light lagoon parade and see illuminations too. One thing I really love about this room, is you can slightly hear the band playing. You can also walk out your door and see when the wine is put out

If you look at the GF building you will notice these rooms as there are 3 in the front that overlook the monorail and 3 in the back which overlook the lagoon, pools, mk etc. #4021 is the room on the highest floor, in the back, offering the best view of any room. They are in the part of the building that juts out.

The honeymoon rooms are regular rooms, but they are in a "quieter" part of the main building with all the other "honeymoon" couples. There is a walk to get to the offerings area (and another elevator too, if I remember correctly). If you are looking for something really special, get a room that overlooks the hotel lobby.

You can request the room, but they will not promise anything. They will try to accommdate.

Thanks for the info! We actually wound up booking Sugar Loaf Concierge. The honeymoon/main building concierge rooms were not available at the travel agent discount rate the week we're going. I'm just happy to be staying at GF, it's been a dream of mine! I do wish we could get the wine/beer with the food offerings, BF likes to drink and it would save us money.

So, anyone have any advice or experiances with Sugar Loaf? Any requests we should make? I'm not big on requesting stuff, I find I worry too much about if I get what I asked for, but then I don't want to miss out on anything either. Any info on Sugar Loaf is much appreciated!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Bumping for info on Sugar Loaf concierge!!

I will be there 2/13!!!

Also, can you tell me how you go about booking the great Turret room 4021?
I would love to get it for my 17th anniversary in Sept. We honeymooned near WDW, but were too poor to stay on property in 1988. Do you request a "turret room" or is it considered concierge deluxe or tower room???? I have never seen "turret room" as a choice online. Is is VERY difficult to get??

THANKS!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

Lives4Disney, 4021 is part of the honeymoon rooms. They are only available in the main building, so you would be part of the RPC concierge. A turret honeymoon room can be requested when you book concierge, it's not guaranteed however. There are only 6 rooms like this in the main building, so they can be difficult to get.

As Misti mentioned, SugarLoaf has it's concierge lounge located on the main lobby floor. It is definitely not as big or as open as the main building concierge lounge. It looks and feels more like a bed & breakfast setup. The concierge staff also has their desks right here. The seating is a little more limited and I don't think they offer a tv in the lounge. The food will be basically the same, except for the wine/beer and 8-10pm desserts and cordials which are not found in SugarLoaf. The only thing you might want to consider is requesting a room type or view. They have the smaller dormer rooms with the cathedral ceilings and the views are either the garden or marina. Unfortunatley, the way the building is situated on the property, you won't have a MK view. We had room 6315 a few years ago and we could see the old Fantasy fireworks. Not sure if you would have the same view for Wishes.

Tammi

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, Tammi. You are so knowledgable and helpful with my Grand Floridian questions!!!

I am just hooked on that place. A week and 1/2 away from my trip and I'm already thinking about the next one!!! There seems to be so many different types of rooms. It is interesting hearing about the different choices.

As for Sugar loaf - if you stay there, do you miss the RPC lounge??? It sounds like it is a much smaller scale in the SL building. I enjoyed sitting in the RPC lounge chatting with my hubbie & kids and snacking on the goodies. In SL, are their sodas out or is someone there to take requests? The staff in the RPC lounge was so sweet and got us caffeine free diet coke and barqs RB. What is the service like in SL? Is there room to sit and hang out or do people take the food to their rooms? I am afraid that to save $$ I may be disappointed that I didn't book RPC!!!

Let me know what you think, PLEASE!! I am gettting that RAD that I have heard of on these boards!!



Thanks again,
Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

The SL lounge is on a much smaller scale than RPC. If you go in knowing what to expect, then I don't think that you'll be disappointed. It is really very cozy feeling and you're sort of like in a lodge bed & breakfast. We found the staff to be very accomodating there. I think because it is a smaller scale, they can get to know you a little easier. No matter what room you're in, chances are you are going to pass through the concierge lounge on your way in and out. This makes it very convenient to grab a bite to eat and say hello to the staff. There is room to sit and chat, just not as much space in comparison.

I suffer from RAD and severe over planning anxiety, so I totally know where you're coming from.

Tammi

 

[goofyandmore]

Just wanted to say that this is a really happy thread! You are all so nice and positive. Does anyone know how CaliforniaDreaming is? I haven't seen a post in a while. Maybe he is off to college or the disney program or college kids?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tammi - thanks so much!! I am just hovering on these boards -can't pull myself away. I think I will call and check on an ap rate for RPC - never know. I need to check on my last day ap rate anyway....

Well...I really appreciate the info and help you've given me. I just loved the RPC atomosphere. Can't imagine anything better. I just didn't think we would be using the lounge so much because it is only a short 4 day trip. It is just that RPC image that is hard to replace in my mind!

Lives4Disney

 

[Mad4Mickey]

We are thinking of staying at the GF in Oct. I was wondering what rooms I should be looking into trying to get . I would like Concierge, King bed, on the same floor as the lounge , with a view of the MK or Castle . Seems like I am kinda picky huh ????

I love staying at the WL and love the way I can wake up looking at the castle .We enjoy the Concierge over there also because thier staff is so wonderful . How is the Concierge staff at GF?

Any help would be great
TIA
Mishell

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, we stayed in the main building concierge over Thanksgiving this year. We were in room 4303. It had a fabulous view of the castle and marina. We could sit outside on our balcony and watch Wishes every night. It didn't have a king bed, though. 2 queens and a daybed.

That was our first stay at the GF - we have stayed at the YC/BC, CR, and Poly, Swan. We LOVED the GF. It is our new favorite. Unfortunately, the ONLY bad thing about it were the concierge CMs. They were rude and unhelpful for the most part. The lounge staff was wonderfully nice and just went out of their way to please, the housekeepers were very pleasant and did a super job, marina staff was friendly, every CM we came across was just wonderful - except the concierge CMs......

Overall we had just a GREAT stay. Just those concierge members that were the only lame part of the whole place. I am staying there again in a week 1/2 - I loved it that much. Just don't expect a whole lot from the concierge staff and you will love it, too, I am sure!!

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

Mishell, I can best describe my dealings with the concierge staff as cool and professional. In all our stays, we've never had any problems with them and it seems the more they get to know you, the warmer they become.

For a guaranteed castle view and king bed, you are going to want to book a honeymoon concierge room. They are on the second floor (the lounge is on the 3rd). Other than that, you can make a room request, but it's just that, a request. I'm not sure if any of the other standard concierge rooms have only a king sized bed. We've only ever had 2 double beds with or without a daybed in any of the standard rooms we've stayed in.

 

[Michelle2]

Lives4Disney, I loved hearing about your RPC stay, and am going to request that same room/location on our stay coming up. But did you get a code (AP or other) on that RPC room? I know that they are available, but wondered what the difference in the cost would be...just want to figure out budget wise what I can expect...we are going to be there in value season.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Michelle2 - When I went over Thanksgiving I didn't get a code. (FROWN) It was kind of a last minute booking (october!) And I think there were lots of blackout dates for Thanksgiving, too.

I can tell you that in August 2004 the RPC was a possibiltiy for us (wound up polynesian) and I am almost positive that with an AP rate it was $505/night RPC. That was summer value season.

A couple of weeks ago for my Feb trip I was pricing it and it was $515/nt AP rate for the RPC. That is also a value season rate. I am bummed because it was only available for 1/2 my stay so I am going to try the SL building this time. I got it for $370/nt AP rate. I think that's pretty good, but I have never stayed in the SL before....

Good luck!! You will LOVE the GF. Even my DH who thought it was too froufrouy really enjoyed the atomoshere there. I am so looking forward to going back!!!

Enjoy!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[mirlow]

I can't seem to find information on the smoking rooms. We're leaning towards the GF this April. I would like to request a Big Pine Key GV room. Is there smoking in that building? I don't want a smoking building. I know sometimes it's just the third floor, but I'm afraid I might end up on that floor if I request that building.

 

[MinnieFan]

If anyone is interested, GF will be featured on Travel Channel's Great Hotels on Tuesday, 2/8/05 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

 

[MinnieM21]

If anyone is interested, GF will be featured on Travel Channel's Great Hotels on Tuesday, 2/8/05 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Thanks! I can't wait to watch it.

 

[MinnieM21]

I can't seem to find information on the smoking rooms. We're leaning towards the GF this April. I would like to request a Big Pine Key GV room. Is there smoking in that building? I don't want a smoking building. I know sometimes it's just the third floor, but I'm afraid I might end up on that floor if I request that building.

Big Pine Key is a smoking building. The 4th and 5th floors are smoking rooms.

 

[Janet2k]

I was just surfin' the 'net and thought I'd post a 360-degree view of a Grand Floridian dormer room (a corner dormer, to be precise): please click here to view the resort room.

My family stayed in one of those rooms and it was lovely. To compare the 360-degree view to my two-dimensional photos, just click here.

(Note: You'll need the free Apple QuickTime software installed on your computer in order to view the 360-degree virtual reality photo.)

 

[Michelle2]

Lives4Disney,
Thanks so much for the info, it is nice to kinda have an idea of what it will cost. It just surprises me because if the AAA price is 10-15 percent off, (and I know that for our timeframe they did have the AAA rate for those rooms, just not available for me! Boo!) that is about what it comes to...the same as the AP rate. Doesn't seem fair. The AP rate should be lower than the AAA rate...But I guess any discount is better than NONE.
And we have stayed at the GF before and LOVED it! Except we were at the SL. Although it was nice (they have kinda stuffy concierges too, except for one lady I liked, but she was new, lol) we just wanted to try and "upgrade" for this next trip, and try the main bldg at Christmas! Thanks again, and have a great time at SL!

edited to add: I forgot to ask if those rates you were kind enough to give me (515 value-AP) included tax or not?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Michelle2, I bet that the $515 rate didn't include tax - I am almost positive. I think they always quote the price without tax (which sure does add up!!) I am getting the SL for 4 nights at $370/night and the total is over $1600 with the tax.

You will fall in love with the RPC! I don't think there is anything to match the charm and the atmosphere. I am kind of bumming that I can't get into the RPC for my stay. (2 nights are available and the rest are not.) I shifted my dates up as I couldn't even get my last night SL at any discount. It was going to be almost $700!!!

I know what you mean about the different deals on room rates. Over the summer there was a general code that anyone could use that made the rate only $5 more per night than the AP rate. Hmmmm - that didn't seem too fair to me either, but I am one of the idiots that never even KNEW about codes/AP rates until fairly recently! I used to pay rack rate for years!! (big frown)

Good luck with your stay!! Don't let any stuffy CMs get you down!! I just had fun and was in a good mood and ALMOST everyone I encountered was just as nice and polite as could be. If you need the concierge - stay on top of them as we had a couple of experiences where they dropped the ball and let us down.

Have FUN!!

Lives4Disney

Any info on SL for me???? I see you stayed there. I am working on getting a tower room there - but anything else you think I should ask for???

THanks for any info!!!

 

[Janet2k]

I caught a new show this evening on the Travel Channel. It was entitled, "Inside Orlando's Resorts" (click here):

- - - - - - -
Inside Orlando's Resorts
Amid Orlando's resorts and theme parks exist chic and unique getaways that offer a chance to luxuriate in peace. Travel off the beaten path to Orlando's plush spas, luxury suites, and upscale golf courses that may be too pricey for the average tourist.
- - - - - - -

One of the resorts that was highlighted was Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. I thought the piece on it was wonderful. They showed glimpses of the lobby, the grounds, the monorail platform, the rooms (suites), the beach, the Grand 1, Victoria & Albert’s, and even the Wonderland Tea Party and the Pirates Cruise. If you have a chance to view the show, please consider doing so.