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

[Janet2k]

Lollipop Mom, I'm glad my photos helped. Your dinner sounds like such fun. I have been told on more than one occasion that in order to use the third floor balcony, you must be a concierge guest of the resort (I was told that most recently last year). It sounds like things have changed. It is also nice to hear that they are allowing each family to split up the dinner bill. That is a wonderful arrangement for such a diverse group.

Your dessert idea will be a big hit with the kids. I love it.

As to your party's size, that is a large group. If the Private Dining folks think you'll fit, then I'm sure you will. I would be very careful, however, with the younger children. A balcony can be a very dangerous place for the little ones. Make sure that they are watched over like a hawk.

I have photos of a Private Dining party that was set up in the resort's lobby. As soon as I get the time, I will post the photos. I took the photos from the 4th floor so you'll get a real bird’s-eye view of the little Private Dining soiree.

 

[Janet2k]

I have photos of a Private Dining party that was set up in the resort's lobby. As soon as I get the time, I will post the photos. I took the photos from the 4th floor so you'll get a real bird’s-eye view of the little Private Dining soiree.

I placed a few photos of that Private Dining function into a new on-line album: click here to view it. Or you may click here to view a slideshow of the photos.

As I sat on the 4th floor of the concierge lounge and viewed the Private Dining function below me, it appeared that the seven guests were really enjoying themselves and the wonderful music of both the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra and the resort's pianist.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I have been told on more than one occasion that in order to use the third floor balcony, you must be a concierge guest of the resort (I was told that most recently last year). It sounds like things have changed. It is also nice to hear that they are allowing each family to split up the dinner bill. That is a wonderful arrangement for such a diverse group

The dining coordinator (I don't know what her official title is) suggested the balcony and my first response was that we were not concierge guests and she told me that would not be a problem but that I had to understand that we could not come and go from the 3rd floor as we please (ie, no running to the bar downstairs for a drink) unless someone in our party was a RPC conc guest. That if we were not we would be escorted to the 3rd floor and allowed to use the restrooms etc. but (obviously) not the concierge lounge offerings etc. and that we were required to have butler service. I am sure the butler service is in part to make sure that guests who are not RPC "residents" do not wander into the lounge for a sample or two. That is fine with me, we don't mind if part of his purpose is to babysit us...with a party of that size we would want butler service anyway! The only other possibility is that I introduced myself to her as my name from my travel agency. One of the other Moms and I are co-owners of a Disney specialist agency and one of the other 2 Moms is an agent with us so it will be a "pseudo-business" dinner. I guess there is always the chance an exception was made because of that...I don't think it's highly likely, but possible. We are currently in a "regular" room but I have all of my fingers tightly crossed that I can convinve DH to upgrade to SLC (RPC is not available for most of our nights). He is saying if we do AKL CL then do we need both at CL...uh, yeah! Silly man!

I guess I should have been more clear in my note to TrippleFigs too...they aren't actually splitting the bill for us but we plan to just figure out what each family owes for their meal and then split the butler service, service charges etc. One member of our group has said she would like to put everything on her Disney Visa and then we each give her a check. That works for us so that is our plan. Each family can order what they wish though so if we had someone who was on a very tight budget and just wanted a burger, they would have that option.

I would be very careful, however, with the younger children. A balcony can be a very dangerous place for the little ones. Make sure that they are watched over like a hawk.

You've hit the nail on the head of my one and only concern of the evening. All of the locations we discussed had "preschooler issues." Most were places they could more easily just bolt from (alone, our 3 year olds are as cooperative as any 3 year old can be, but together....OIY! LOL One of them is my son and the other is the daughter of my business partner. We've travelled to WDW together, just Moms and kids, before and get those 2 together and they work as a team. I've already said that I do not want a kids table on one of the "bends" and adult table in the middle, I want them in full view. We've been discussing table arrangement options and may end up with 2 round adult tables and a kid table in between but are hoping we can figure out an arrangement where the adults are all together. One of the reasons the kid size table was suggested was b/c if anyone pushed a chair to the edge and stood up on it before we could grab them, the chair would not be high at all....which makes me think....I wonder if they could do a red and white checkered tablecloth on the floor for a picnic for them...my kids LOVE that at home...hmmm...have to ask about that one. My kids and I could make Disney "sit upons" (did anyone else have those as a girl scout many years ago?) and ship them down there so they could have a semi-cushion to sit on. That would eliminate anything to stand on at the railing...that would work with our request to fill the Disney coolers they ofer for the to-go lunch with a coloring book, crayons, stickers etc. for each kid to have something to do while we are there.

That lobby dinner looks nice too! I bet it is really nice w/ the orchestra playing!

Thanks again for your photos, insight and suggestions! They are much appreciated!

 

[Janet2k]

Lollipop Mom, thank you for the clarifications.

There is something that I am fuzzy on. I don’t know if there is a public restroom for concierge guests on either the 3rd or 4th floor of the main building. I have been a concierge guest at the Grand Floridian many times over the years but I do not remember ever seeing a public restroom. Hopefully, someone here will clarify that point for me. If the Grand Floridian does not have a public restroom on either the 3rd or 4th floor, that will mean that your guests will need to be escorted downstairs to the 1st floor (there are two public restrooms on that level) and then escorted back upstairs to the 3rd floor. That is something to think about since you have quite a few people (especially children) in your group. Again, I am hoping this is a moot point.

I am also slightly concerned regarding the size of your party and the size of the balcony. The balcony is nice-sized, but will 16 people make it feel too cramped? Please ask your Private Dining coordinator to map out the layout of the dining tables on the balcony just to be certain that things will fit properly. Also, ask them to find out the maximum number of people who have dined on the balcony in the past. That would be good information to know.

As to the concern over the children and the balcony, it sounds like you and I think alike. The thought of seven youngsters on a third floor balcony would bring uneasiness to any parent. Would it be possible to hire someone to specifically sit with the children while they ate? This person could watch the children while the adults enjoyed their meals. Please discuss this as an option with your Private Dining coordinator.

Another thing to consider is possibly arranging for all of the children to take their meals inside the Mouseketeer Clubhouse. They could then spend the rest of their evening creating arts & crafts, playing board & video games, reading books, or watching Disney movies. That would leave the adults to the dinner party on the balcony.

I have another suggestion for a dinner party location. What about the marina area? I have hosted two parties in the marina area now. It has worked out beautifully. You would still need to be careful with the children because of the water. However, the space at the marina is much larger and could easily accommodate another guest or two who could watch the children. I need to note that I had to work with the Grand Floridian’s Convention Services folks for my parties at the marina and that specific costs were involved. This may or may not apply to you.

Whatever you ultimately decide to do, I’m sure it will be lovely.

 

[Janet2k]

...have a ressie for Victoria & Albert's on the 10th. We have never used the Mouseketeer club and are just curious as to the experiences of others. Our DDs are 11,8,6,5. Will they each have something age appropriate to fill their time?

My husband and I have enjoyed many Victoria & Albert's meals over the years while our son and daughter have enjoyed the Grand Floridian's Mouseketeer Clubhouse, the Polynesian's NeverLand Club, or a Disney supplied in-room sitter. Those arrangements have always worked out beautifully for all parties involved.

My experience with the Disney kids' clubs is that there is always something to do for every age bracket. They'll find books, toys, board games, video games, and arts & craft projects to enjoy.

My daughter, in particular, begs to attend the kids' clubs whenever she can. This usually breaks my heart slightly since it makes me feel a bit unloved. But then I have to think like her: "Should I hang out with Mom & Dad? Again? Or should I hang out with kids my own age?" Once I put myself into her shoes, it's a no-brainer as to why she chooses to venture out on her own (even if it is within the safe confines of the kids' club).

 

[Frankiesmom]

Thank you Janet for the reply! I did decide to up us to the SLC; I'm sure it will be well worth it-we have never stayed concierge before. But with this being the GF and it being the holidays every little bit of help I can get would be great! LOL, should I request a certain room? Do these SLC have a view of the MK? Could someone explain the differences? Thanks again! Angel

 

[TammiMcMan]

I have a question for you folks. When I’m staying in the main building, I receive the following welcome packet upon check-in: click here. Is this same packet (minus the “Royal Palm Club” label) given to guests who are staying in the lodge buildings (be it Sugarloaf concierge or otherwise)?

Janet, I just looked through my GF packets and the Sugar Loaf one does contain exactly the same information and the only difference that I see is instead of saying "Royal Palm Club" it says "Lodge Concierge".

Tammi

 

[Lives4Disney]

[

QUOTE=Janet2k]Lollipop Mom, thank you for the clarifications.

There is something that I am fuzzy on. I don’t know if there is a public restroom for concierge guests on either the 3rd or 4th floor of the main building. I have been a concierge guest at the Grand Floridian many times over the years but I do not remember ever seeing a public restroom. Hopefully, someone here will clarify that point for me. If the Grand Floridian does not have a public restroom on either the 3rd or 4th floor, that will mean that your guests will need to be escorted downstairs to the 1st floor (there are two public restrooms on that level) and then escorted back upstairs to the 3rd floor. That is something to think about since you have quite a few people (especially children) in your group. Again, I am hoping this is a moot point.

Lollipop Mom - Your plans sound like such fun! Hope everything turns out great for you. I just returned from a main building concierge stay and there are NO bathrooms on the 3rd or 4th floors in the main building. (I know for sure as I was with 3 kids that seemed to constantly have to GO while we were sitting in the lounge - and checking in!! Of course our room was the FARTHEST from the lounge....)

Happy planning!! I am already "homesick" for my favorite Disney resort.

Lives4Disney

 

[PLUTO2]

Where exactly is the Mouseketeer clubhouse? Thank you.

 

[GF Girl]

There is an entrance to the right side of Gasparilla's entry way. Can't miss it

 

[TammiMcMan]

Lollipopmom, your dinner sounds amazing, but was trying to think of something that might be better suited for the little ones. I love all your ideas and the suggestions that have been made are great. I wonder if there was some way you could combine them? For instance, have your private dinner on the concierge balcony, but change it to adults only. Let the kids have a ball in the Mousekeeter Clubhouse and then maybe join you for dessert served picnic style as you mentioned. Perhaps decorate their blanket with glow necklaces, coloring books and crayons and if someone has a portable DVD player, that may help in keeping their unbridled energy down a little bit.

Tammi

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Will Mouseketeer club take 3 year olds? I thought they had to be 4? My son will be 2 months shy of 4, potty trained and is on his 2nd year of 3 day a week morning only preschool so he is used to being dropped off, especially if he is with his 5 year old brother. The other 3 year old will only be 3 months past 3, will be trained and would be with her 5 year old sister but she's a long way from 4. Connor is big (41" tall) and is often mistaken for 5 so I'm sure he could slip in but I'm not so sure about my friend's DD.

I could easily bring our DVD player so that is an option. I know I will have my laptop with but a laptop combined w/ 7 kids armed with drinks makes me nervous!

 

[Janet2k]

Where exactly is the Mouseketeer clubhouse? Thank you.

Pluto2, GF Girl is correct regarding the entrance to the Mouseketeer Clubhouse. I have two photos that might help illustrate this: Photo #1 and Photo #2.

 

[Janet2k]

Lollipop Mom, I think the situation that you are running into now is why the Grand Floridian has always asked me to work with their Convention Services folks when it comes to the planning of a private function. There are so many little things to consider that most of us just do not think about.

For instance, when I was planning my Summerhouse Dinner Party event, I was told that external lighting would be required. If you read my trip report about that event (click here), you might remember that I had been told that additional lighting was needed for two main reasons: 1) safety and 2) ambience. My event proposal listed the following:

Technical Services
Audio Package: (BGM)

Portable Lighting System:
This portable lighting package will enhance and emphasize your
Entertainment with a splash of color. Package includes par lights,
ultimate stands and technician setup and strike.

Technicians: Set/Strike Technician

20 Amp 120 Volt Duplex
Temporary Power Installation

Temp Drop Permit Fee

Electrician

There was no doubt about it, the external lighting package was involved: lights, technicians, electricians, power installations, and drop permit fees. It was also something that I never would have thought about in a million years. But as soon as my Event Manager tied the word "safety" to the reason for needing external lighting, I had to listen to him. He was the professional event planner. He was the one who had graduated from college and had passed numerous certification tests in order to assure that any event that he planned would be safe as well as fun. He was the one who could foresee all the little things that could wreak havoc with my event both in regards to the safety of my guests and the safety of the Cast Members who were involved with it (a trial run had to be performed just to ensure that Mickey Mouse could arrive safely at my party via float boat).

After having personally hosted a few private parties at the Grand Floridian, I completely understand why the resort requested that I work with their Convention Services Cast Members. Private party planning is best when left to the professionals.

Since your party size is large, perhaps you should place a telephone call to the Grand Floridian’s Convention Services folks and work with them on your function. You would give them your group’s budget and see what they can come up with in the way of an event. They would ensure that your event was (a) safe, (b) fun, and (c) memorable. Please consider doing so. You might be pleasantly surprised at what can be done.

 

[karensi]

As I posted here in an earlier thread we will be checking in late Friday night . I asked about calling ahead to notify the hotel that we will be late and it was sugested that I call the GF directly.I would like to do this (dis board people always give the best advice ), but I don't have the # to the hotel. Anyone able to give me the # ? TIA, Karen

 

[PLUTO2]

So you enter the clubhouse from the outside? Sorry been awhile since being at GF and first time with kids.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Anyone able to give me the # ? TIA, Karen

Here you go, 407-824-3000 .

 

[karensi]

Many thanks Tami , some how I kind of thought it would be you to help me out (again ). Only one more day till my 1st stay at the GF . Karen

 

[TammiMcMan]

Karen, have a great trip and please give us an update when you return.

Tammi

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Karen, have a wonderful trip. I'll be thinking of you on Friday!

Tammi, GO TO BED!

Lori