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

[BunnieGene]

Hi, I will be staying at the GF LV for the 1st time and I understand that the dormer rooms have private balconies. What about the other standard LV rooms? Are the balconies shared? And if so, what exactly does that mean? Is it just like a long corridor or is there some kind of separation between the balcony of each room? Thanx for your help.

The dormer rooms have smaller balconies that acually have walls between the neighboring balcony. The other balconies aren't shared, but they have a partition dividing them that doesn't reach all the way to the ceiling or floor...so you could possibly see feet and hear conversations, but don't have actual physical access to each other. I absolutely love the dormer rooms and balconies, LV or no.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Bumping, as I'm worried no one saw my question! TIA!

 

[MtnViewer]

Thanx Janet2k, a picture does speak a thousand words . I was originally thinking of requesting a dormer room because of the private balcony, but after seeing your lovely pictures and BunnieGene's post, I'm now undecided which I like better.. actually I won't mind either and will be happy with a MK view

 

[Janet2k]

What does the "Swan" decorating theme look like? I understand from the main page that all rooms in Sago Cay are in that style, and would like to see a picture.

Tinkaroo, I found this photo on the AllEarsNet website that I believe shows the "Swan" theme: click here. I don't think I've stayed in a Swan-themed room, but if it is as pretty as the Alice- and Cameo-themed rooms that I have stayed in, you will not be disappointed. As to your question about Boca Chica and its views, I haven't stayed in that building yet so I can't answer your question.

 

[Janet2k]

I was originally thinking of requesting a dormer room because of the private balcony...I'm now undecided which I like better.. actually I won't mind either and will be happy with a MK view

MtnViewer, I thought I would post a few photos of a dormer balcony:
Photo # 1
Photo # 2
Photo # 3

Like you said, no matter where you stay, you will have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Janet2k - thanks. I'd been over to allears (but not recently) and only remembered the Cameo and Alice pictures. Guess I should have checked there again!

I looked at the dormer pictures you supplied MtnViewer, and then saw ALL of your pics from that trip. What amazing pics! I feel like I really have an idea of what a room might be like now.

Question for you - was your room that particular trip a LV view or a GV view? Since it looks like you were on a corner, I didn't know technically which view you had. Either way, it looks like it was spectacular!

Secondly, where do you fill up the refillable mugs?

 

[Janet2k]

I looked at the dormer pictures you supplied MtnViewer, and then saw ALL of your pics from that trip. I feel like I really have an idea of what a room might be like now... Question for you - was your room that particular trip a LV view or a GV view?

Secondly, where do you fill up the refillable mugs?

Tinkaroo, the dormer room that my family stayed in was a Lagoon View room. My family was hosting a private dinner party at the Grand Floridian's Summerhouse area during that vacation, thus I think Tinker Bell herself sprinkled a little bit of pixie dust on our reservation in order to ensure that it would be as ~magical~ as possible. If you read my trip report about that particular vacation, you saw how amusing I found the location of that room (click here and go to Page 10). I truly chuckled as we were led to it (it was kismet). That room's wonderful location allowed me to take photos of the marina area where our surprise dessert party was held: click here. Again, Tinker Bell sure knew what she was doing when she magically had that room assigned to us. It worked out perfectly (beyond perfectly, actually).

The refillable mugs may be refilled at Gasparilla Grill & Games (the quick service restaurant that is located right next to the marina).

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for all the info, Janet2k!

If anyone else wants to weigh in with their favorite GV locations, let me know! I think I'm leaning towards Conch Key, but would love to hear others' opinions!

 

[Angel16]

Hi, DH and myself are staying at the GF for the first time. We have reservations for CL- RPC in the main building. Does anyone know how many King rooms they have available in that building, and if any have a lagoon view? We have requested a King room with some type of water view.

Does anyone have any suggestions for room type/location or room numbers? We will be there September 24 - 30th and celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary and DH's birthday.

I certainly appreaciate any and all help.

 

[triplefigs]

We've ended up doing 7 days Lodge Concierge in Sugar Loaf Key (couldn't get all 7 in RPC and didn't want to leave the GF so we compromised on Lodge Concierge). Is there a particular room and view I should request (family of 5)? Do any of the rooms have a partial lagoon and/or castle view?

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi, DH and myself are staying at the GF for the first time. We have reservations for CL- RPC in the main building. Does anyone know how many King rooms they have available in that building, and if any have a lagoon view? We have requested a King room with some type of water view.

Does anyone have any suggestions for room type/location or room numbers? We will be there September 24 - 30th and celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary and DH's birthday.

I certainly appreaciate any and all help.

Angel, did you get a honeymoon room or standard concierge room? I think the honeymoon suites are the only ones with the guaranteed king bed. I don't recall if any of the standard concierge rooms were configured that way. You can always check with the pre-planning staff. I know that room numbers ending in 01-10 all have castle views. The 2nd floor houses the honeymoon suites and the other rooms in that area on the 3rd and 4th floor. It's above Gasparilla's Grill and the marina, but we never had any noise issues and the view was perfect.

Maybe you'll luck out like DH and I did last year. We booked a standard concierge room and they upgraded us to a turret honeymoon suite. It was beautiful. Whats your wedding date by the way? Mine is September 24th. It's my favorite time of the year.

We've ended up doing 7 days Lodge Concierge in Sugar Loaf Key (couldn't get all 7 in RPC and didn't want to leave the GF so we compromised on Lodge Concierge). Is there a particular room and view I should request (family of 5)? Do any of the rooms have a partial lagoon and/or castle view?

Unfortunately, there are no castle views from SugarLoaf. It's just the way it's situated on the property. Conch Key pretty much blocks the view. You can request Marina and from your balcony, if you look off to your right, you might be able to see the nightly fireworks. It all depends on which end of the building you're in. The end closest to the main building and a higher floor will give you a better chance at a nice view.

Tammi

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi, Tammi,

I'm hoping you might weigh in on my "dilemna", too!

On the GV rooms at Boca Chica that purportedly have an obstructed view of the SSL and MK - have you seen these, and what does this view really entail? I would think from the map that they are VERY obstructed.

If you were staying GV, what would be your room/building recommendation? From what I've read, I'm leaning towards Conch Key, but would love to hear your thoughts! TIA!

 

[triplefigs]

I found a few SL Concierge pictures from 2003.

 

[TammiMcMan]

On the GV rooms at Boca Chica that purportedly have an obstructed view of the SSL and MK - have you seen these, and what does this view really entail? I would think from the map that they are VERY obstructed.

If you were staying GV, what would be your room/building recommendation? From what I've read, I'm leaning towards Conch Key, but would love to hear your thoughts! TIA!

I haven't seen these style of rooms at Boca Chica, but from everything I've read, it's a tree situation. Obstructed will typically mean that you're either looking around a tree trunk or through some branches. Some have posted pictures that they've taken from their obstructed view rooms and they are actually quite nice.

I've stayed GV in Conch Key before and it was very pretty. Definitely a garden view and you're a bit off the path, so you don't get much foot traffic in this area. It's the closest building to the boat dock, but furthest from the beach, theme pool and main building (transportation). Probably no more than a 5 minute walk though. I'm also partial to Sago Cay. You can request a marina view here for the price of a garden view room. A very quiet building, close to the bus stop and main building. The only foot traffic you'll get over here is from guests who are actually staying in this building.

Hope that helps.

Tammi

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks, Tammi. How do you like the "Swan" decorating theme? Isn't that what is predominantly in Sago Cay? I kind of like the "Alice" theme, but wondered what you thought of the "Swan" in comparison.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts (on mine and others' questions). You and Janet2k are great!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm a big fan of the victorian theme anyway, probably why I like the GF so much. I really don't have a preference on the bedding style. I think they are all very nicely done.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

I'm a big fan of the victorian theme anyway, probably why I like the GF so much. I really don't have a preference on the bedding style. I think they are all very nicely done.

Tammi

My kids are going to love the Cameo theme in SL. We have 3 huge Sleeping Beauty fans in our house, and they will love having Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather on their bed!

 

[triplefigs]

I've emailed the GF IPO about our upcoming trip for room requests. When do they email you the itinerary Trip Planner to fill out?

 

[TammiMcMan]

I've only seen the trip planners done with the Epcot resorts and the Polynesian. As far as I know, the GF doesn't have one. You can double check with them, but they'll probably just tell you to e-mail them with your requests and they will enter them into the system. The trip planner that I received from the YC staff was basically just a fill in the blank form. There really wasn't a lot to it.

Tammi

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks, Tammi. When is it appropriate to email them my requests? I don't want to do it too early. What things besides PS arrangements could/would they help with?