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

[GF Girl]

How wonderful that you will be upgrading.
Below is a link that should show you the resort map.

http://www.the-grahams.net/gf/pic_resort_map.html

I think the Big Pine Key is the building that you would request if you want to overlook the pool area. BUt to be quite honest, I don't think you can get a bad view anywhere on the property.

I think it is really a mix of people that stay there. Alot of families of course, as well as honeymooners. Always very friendly people. You will enjoy yourself.

 

[Chicago526]

I have started an on-line photo album for the Sugar Loaf concierge lounge evening munchie offerings: click here (click on the thumbnail images for larger size images). I will try to add more photos to that album as soon as I get the chance.

Ohhhhh, I'm gonna get FAT!!!!!

 

[triplefigs]

Ohhhhh, I'm gonna get FAT!!!!!

Me too! Better diet now, so I can eat later!

 

[pink elephants]

Any recommendations for in-room babysitting at the GF RPC, or should we just ask for a recommendation from the RPC CMs?

Brian, for our trip last Feb., we used Kid's Nite Out, which is part of Kindercare, Disney's "official" babysitting service. Prices weren't cheap, but the girl who came was very competent and came with lots of toys for my 5 and my 3 yo. Their number is 1-800-696-8105. If you're staying concierge, this is who they'll recommend and they will book it for you, as they did for us through AKL concierge.

We also contacted Fairy Godmothers separately but decided to go with the official Disney service. It was just easier for us to let concierge handle the whole thing. BTW, if you have a special needs child, Fairy Godmothers apparently has sitters who are specially trained for special needs children. Their number is (407) 969-9847 and toll free 877-611-4314.

Hope this helps.

 

[lina777]

How wonderful that you will be upgrading.
Below is a link that should show you the resort map.

http://www.the-grahams.net/gf/pic_resort_map.html

I think the Big Pine Key is the building that you would request if you want to overlook the pool area. BUt to be quite honest, I don't think you can get a bad view anywhere on the property.

I think it is really a mix of people that stay there. Alot of families of course, as well as honeymooners. Always very friendly people. You will enjoy yourself.

Thank you so much for your help GF Girl!!!

 

[garada3]

Hoping someone can help me with the questions I posted a few days ago.

Thanks!

 

[Davids-Coco]

Now that SL has the same food offerings as RPC can someone help me compare the two?

How many rooms/suites have access to the RPC lounge? How many have access to the SL lounge? No TV in SL correct?

Are there more room options for a family of 5 in SL? In RPC a family of 5 needs a standard room as the deluxe only sleeps 4, right? Suites are out of the question but are some rooms in SL larger or have two balconies?

Price difference between the two?

Which is a better location for kids as far a location to pool etc.?

Thanks in advance!

Have no idea, but here are your questions for others to reference.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Garada. I will try and help you with some of your questions.

First, the standard rooms in RPC and SL are the same as far as the layout and I believe the decor and sleep 5. There are 3 tower rooms in SL that only sleep 4 and have the separate little octagon area with a sofa, table, and extra TV in a small armoir.

The lounges in RPC and SL do now serve the same food.

There is no TV in SL. There are 2 TVs in RPC. The lounge in RPC has great ambience. You can sit and look into the lobby, listen to the piano or orchestra, and look out the windows at the beautiful resort grounds.

The SL lounge is smaller and in the lobby of the SL lodge building. It is cozy. There are several sofa seating areas, some tables & wicker chairs & some kid size furniture (also in RPC) Tammi has noted that the SL has more of a bed and breakfast feel to it, and I have to agree. It is still lovely, just different. There really is no "view" from the SL lounge, either.

We have not experienced an overcrowded feeling in either lounge. There have always been plenty of food/drinks.

Deluxe rooms in the main building do only sleep 4 even though they are larger in size. I don't think the SL has any deluxe rooms - just those 3 tower rooms I mentioned.

As far as price difference, I have stayed RPC and paid $650 (rack rate) . SL paid $370 (ap rate). With an AP rate RPC can be $515/nt. It just depends what time of yr.

I am not sure about the location to the kids' pool as we didn't ever use it!! We will this trip in 9 days!! I would say RPC is a bit closer, but not much. SL's doors open up right next to the other pool. I saw many people running into the lounge in swimwear to grab a soda and run back out to swim.

I am just CRAZY about RPC just for the feel of it. I love the SL, too, but RPC is IT for me. I have 3 kids and we always felt welcome. No stuffiness at all by the lounge staff. Everyone we ran into at the GF was friendly and smiled.

Hope it helps a bit!

Happy planning -

Lives4Disney :earsgirl

 

[princessesrule4]

Lives4Disney,
Thanks for your above post! We are staying GF RPC in December and are sooooo excited!!! I had been worried because I heard the RPC staff wasn't very friendly but I am reassured by your reply and Tammi's too! We are celebrating DD's birthday this trip and are also excited to be in the Main Building for the Holiday ambience!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Princessesrule4- You will LOVE the main building during the holiday season. We stayed there last Thanksgiving week and it was just so lovely. The decorations and the life size gingerbread house store were charming.

I really can't say enough about how WONDERFUL the lounge staff was. They were extremely nice & friendly. Not once did I feel that kids weren't welcome. When we met CMs in the elevators, walkways, lobby, they all said hello & smiled and said to have a good day......Very nice & comfortable.

Have a fabulous trip! I know you will!!

Lives4Disney

 

[garada3]

Lives4Disney for the great information.

Another kind of silly question.

When you stayed RPC, did you feel awkward heading out to the pool from your room? I just wonder how out of place my family might look heading out to the pools, having to parade through the beautiful GF lobby in swim suits and me in my cover up

We loved the set up for conceirge at the polynesian. The pools were right outside Hawaii and we used the outside stairs to avoid the lobby/lounge.

Where are the entrances/exits to concierge from your rooms. Do the elevators open right into the main lobby and are there steps we can use to avoid such public displays?

 

[Lives4Disney]

GARADA3 - Not a silly question at all! I know a lot of people have posted that they worry about how they would feel in swimwear in that lobby.

Honestly, we did not use the pools. I have really never used any pool at WDW other than the BC and Poly pool last August. We are PARK people!! Have our own inground, usually visit WDW in the cooler months and sometimes the water is too cold at WDW or not sparkling clean. (I am staying at the GF in about a week and we will check out the pools there for the first time since it is August) So I personally didn't try walking through with a swimsuit on, but I see MANY people doing it and I absolutely would not give it a second thought. I will do it. I am modest, but I have a terry dress type cover up. People are wearing everything from bridal attire to sweaty park clothes to suits. We stayed at the Royal Hawaiian (Pink Palace)over spring break. It is a beautiful landmark hotel on Waikiki beach with crystal chandeliers, oriental carpets, carved & inlaid wood, gorgeous floral arrangements etc. and on our way to the beach we would walk by Japanese brides & grooms getting their pics taken in the beautiful lobby area & hallways. I didn't feel awkward at all. Everyone is there for their own reasons. Same at the GF.

There is an elevator that opens up near Gasp. Grill - so you CAN avoid the lobby altogether. We used it a couple of times. I just don't think the swimsuit issue will be a problem for you if you need to go through the lobby for your best route. You actually kind of skirt the busiest part of the lobby. You won't be in the middle of it even if you use the main elevator and the back doors.

Once you are at the GF, you will see what I mean. It is really a family resort. The only stuffiness I ever encountered was from the first concierge member that checked me in on our first stay. He was not friendly at all, very dry, just dropped the ball& didn't have our luggage delivered as he said he would & didn't order a rollaway for my son like he told us he was going to do. I just hope I don't have to deal with him again. Everyone else was very nice and helpful. I am looking forward to staying there again in about a week!!


Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

So are you sticking with SL or trying to get RPC at check in? You're going to have a blast. Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Lives4Disney]

TRIPLEFIGS - I have SL booked, but every day I still check the WDW website to see if Main Building is available for my dates!!

IT IS!!!! I don't know what I will do!! I lose touch with reality when I go to WDW, so I may just ask for that Walter E. Disney Suite!!! Just kidding!! My husband would not be happy with me.

I will let you know if I went nuts or kept some self control when I get back!!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

TRIPLEFIGS - I have SL booked, but every day I still check the WDW website to see if Main Building is available for my dates!!

IT IS!!!! I don't know what I will do!! I lose touch with reality when I go to WDW, so I may just ask for that Walter E. Disney Suite!!! Just kidding!! My husband would not be happy with me.

I will let you know if I went nuts or kept some self control when I get back!!

Lives4Disney

It's probably a good thing that RPC isn't available for my dates!

 

[MickeyMac]

When you stayed RPC, did you feel awkward heading out to the pool from your room? I just wonder how out of place my family might look heading out to the pools, having to parade through the beautiful GF lobby in swim suits and me in my cover up

I don't know if this helps at all, but when we were there just a couple of weeks ago, we did it. My husband came down to join my daughter and myself at the pool. On the way back to the room in Boca Chica (we were at the Beach Pool, he said 'I want to show you a golf shirt..." ("I want..." which he didn't say, but it's usually infered! LOL!) My daughter in a towel wrap, and myself in bathing suit and cover up, walked into the men's shop on the second floor. I kinda got lost in myself shopping and then DH took DD back to the room to change, and I started wandering all the shops. Didn't think a second about it. THEN I remembered I had packages to pick up, and had to check out ANOTHer shop. On my way back downstairs, I stopped by the women's shop (Okay, I admit, I was getting ridiculous at this point) and started trying on the perfumes. They had some Lily Pulitzer stuff on clearance. I fell in love with a shirt, and the lady asked if I would like to try it on. I told her I didn't want to, as my bathing suit was wet...

"OH MY GAWD!!! I'm still in my BATHING SUIT!"

I was mortified. She laughed and said that it happens so often that no one blinks an eye.

Still, I snuck out of there pretty quick and DH had a good laugh over me.

 

[triplefigs]

I don't know if this helps at all, but when we were there just a couple of weeks ago, we did it. My husband came down to join my daughter and myself at the pool. On the way back to the room in Boca Chica (we were at the Beach Pool, he said 'I want to show you a golf shirt..." ("I want..." which he didn't say, but it's usually infered! LOL!) My daughter in a towel wrap, and myself in bathing suit and cover up, walked into the men's shop on the second floor. I kinda got lost in myself shopping and then DH took DD back to the room to change, and I started wandering all the shops. Didn't think a second about it. THEN I remembered I had packages to pick up, and had to check out ANOTHer shop. On my way back downstairs, I stopped by the women's shop (Okay, I admit, I was getting ridiculous at this point) and started trying on the perfumes. They had some Lily Pulitzer stuff on clearance. I fell in love with a shirt, and the lady asked if I would like to try it on. I told her I didn't want to, as my bathing suit was wet...

"OH MY GAWD!!! I'm still in my BATHING SUIT!"

I was mortified. She laughed and said that it happens so often that no one blinks an eye.

Still, I snuck out of there pretty quick and DH had a good laugh over me.

 

[triplefigs]

Should I email them my cc number or call them directly?

Thanks!

 

[Davids-Coco]

Should I email them my cc number or call them directly?

Thanks!

A good rule of thumb is never to email cc numbers. It is very easy to get into other people's email. I left mine off the form they had me fill out and then told them to call for the number (trying to avoid long distance charges). They didn't call, and since I was booking V&A they needed it, so I called them.

Long story short, call it in. It is at least safer than putting it in an email.

 

[triplefigs]

A good rule of thumb is never to email cc numbers. It is very easy to get into other people's email. I left mine off the form they had me fill out and then told them to call for the number (trying to avoid long distance charges). They didn't call, and since I was booking V&A they needed it, so I called them.

Long story short, call it in. It is at least safer than putting it in an email.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll call them now.