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

[kmermaid]

Can someone tell me how do you get one of the cabanas at the slide pool?

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

The cabanas are first come, first serve.

Lori

 

[glass slipper girl]

Does anyone know what type of views the Deluxe Conc. rooms in RPC have and where they are located? I will be going with some friends for a girls only weekend. One of our friends will be staying in the Grand Suite and the rest of us are debating if we want to "upgrade" our standard RPC room to a deluxe room. Just wondering where that may put us in relation to her suite?

 

[roryc]

Does anyone have any experience with booking 2 rooms at RPC during Value season (specifically the end of January/beginning of February)? How difficult would it be to get 2 Castle view rooms? Impossible??? Just trying to figure out what our chances might be. I'd love to know some past experience with multiple rooms and requests.

We also might do a RPC deluxe and a castle view. How far apart would they be, as I understand the deluxe's don't have MK views.

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

RoryC, I don't have experience with multiple rooms, but the castle view rooms are located on the 3rd and 4th floor, in the same wing. I believe there are 20 standard RPC rooms there. The percentage for granting view requests is going to vary greatly, depending on the resort occupancy and previous requests.

As far as proximity, the deluxe rooms are located more towards the lounge area, while the castle view rooms would be down another hallway. Based on which room numbers you got assigned, you could be 10 rooms away from each other or 20 rooms away from each other.

I've had marina and lagoon rooms in RPC, so I'm not that familiar with the ones overlooking the garden. Based on the building layout however, I'd guess that you could probably see some of the MK from a garden view balcony.

 

[triplefigs]

Well, we gave up RPC to save some money. We're currently booked in SL which we LOVED in December. We may actually drop concierge completely and go with a garden view room and request Sago Cay. Any thoughts? It's about a $700 difference (we have AAA discount) for SL vs GV. We did enjoy the food offerings and pre-trip planning last time. We're booked Dec 13-22 (we will either drop the 1st 2 days or last 2 days of the trip once the kids' school calendar is finalized).

Thanks!

 

[triplefigs]

OT: Tammi, I thought about your DS the entire time I watched the ice dancing at the Olympics. I kept thinking that one day soon that would be him I would cheer on! Wasn't that great they got the silver?

 

[Janet2k]

Well, we gave up RPC to save some money. We're currently booked in SL which we LOVED in December. We may actually drop concierge completely and go with a garden view room and request Sago Cay. Any thoughts?

Triplefigs, you will have a wonderful vacation no matter what room category you stay in.

I am in the process of planning a GF stay, and, like you, I am trying to decide what category of room to book. Since I have stayed at the GF many times over the years, the one thing I know for certain is that I will have a wonderful stay no matter what room category I book. Just give me the swimming pool and I will be a happy woman, ~sigh.~ Hey, does anyone know if they book Lounge Chair Rooms?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

OT: Tammi, I thought about your DS the entire time I watched the ice dancing at the Olympics. I kept thinking that one day soon that would be him I would cheer on! Wasn't that great they got the silver?

i also thought if this
tammy when you are you going again so i can read another awesome trip report

 

[Janet2k]

Does anyone know what type of views the Deluxe Conc. rooms in RPC have and where they are located? I will be going with some friends for a girls only weekend.

Glass Slipper Girl, your upcoming “girls” trip sounds like fun.

I've stayed in a Deluxe Concierge Room in the main building. I was in a wheelchair at the time so my room was a handicap-accessible room. The room's view was of the gardens and the quiet pool complex. It was a lovely room that was located on the 4th floor (the floor with the munchies). Here are some photos of the room:

Deluxe Room Photos (Room)
Deluxe Room Photos (Bathroom)
Deluxe Room Photos (Wishes View)

I hope that helped.

 

[Janet2k]

Does anyone have any experience with booking 2 rooms at RPC... How difficult would it be to get 2 Castle view rooms... I'd love to know some past experience with multiple rooms and requests... We also might do a RPC deluxe and a castle view...

Roryc, sadly, a Lagoon View room with a Cinderella Castle view is only a request. The resort will try to honor that request if it is noted in your reservation, but please do not be too disappointed if they can’t. As you know, there are only so many rooms with that view and it is the most popular view. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful stay no matter where your room is located. (I’ll cross my fingers that your Castle request is granted.)

My very first trip to WDW had my family staying in the Grand Floridian’s main building. We were traveling with friends who were also staying in the main building. Neither of our families had ever vacationed in WDW before so we were truly a bunch of novices. We both booked Grand Floridian main building concierge rooms with the Grand Plan vacation package.

The rooms that we were given overlooked the marina. They were connecting rooms with Cinderella Castle views. This was so long ago that I can’t remember if we even requested connecting rooms (the Grand Planners knew our families were traveling together so they probably did this for us). I also can’t remember if we even requested a view (we probably didn’t know that a Castle view existed).

The moral of my story is that, yes, there are rooms that overlook the marina that have Cinderella Castle views. Some of these rooms are also connecting rooms. I don’t know if you are interested in connecting rooms, but I thought I should mention that.

I should also note that there are rooms overlooking the marina with Cinderella Castle views that do not connect to other rooms. My last two Grand Floridian stays had me in non-connecting rooms. One room was on the end of the 3rd floor, and the other room was on the end of the 4th floor. Neither room was a connecting room. They both were very nice and very quiet (which I loved).

A few years ago I was in a wheelchair. I stayed in a Deluxe Concierge Room in the main building. That room was handicap-accessible, which was a godsend to someone like me (I needed a roll-in shower since I could not stand). That room was located on the 4th floor, literally around the corner from the concierge lounge.

I have photos posted of some of the Grand Floridian rooms that I’ve stayed in. Click here for my main on-line album and then scroll down to the “GF” albums (you’ll find a few there).

I hope this helped. And I hope you have a wonderful vacation. Have fun planning it.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Denise, I wish we could go concierge all the time, but sometimes it just doesn't fit into the budget. I love the GF garden view rooms and Sago Cay is a very convenient building. Yes, I did let out a bit of a sigh when I looked up at the club level in the main building . Do what you are comfortable with.

We watched and taped all of the skating on the Olympics. DS and his partners goal are to be at US Nationals in 2010. I don't think they'll be at senior level yet, so the Vancouver Olympics probably won't be an option. Tanith is a good friend of my son's coaches, so we're hoping they get to meet soon.

Alicnwondrln, unfortunately, no Disney trips are in the near future . DS and DH are going to Nice, France in a few months for skating and right now, that takes up most of our time (and money). It's okay though, Disney will always be there for us.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Well, we gave up RPC to save some money. We're currently booked in SL which we LOVED in December. We may actually drop concierge completely and go with a garden view room and request Sago Cay. Any thoughts? It's about a $700 difference (we have AAA discount) for SL vs GV. We did enjoy the food offerings and pre-trip planning last time. We're booked Dec 13-22 (we will either drop the 1st 2 days or last 2 days of the trip once the kids' school calendar is finalized).

Thanks!

Triplefigs - Aw....I am sure you will enjoy the GF either way. You know how I was thinking a while back. RPC is so costly - it is exactly twice the price of a garden view room. I am still waffling on it and still checking my AP website to view availability 'cause I am so wishywashy. My husband has come to the end of a major & stressful two year project and HE now really wants the RPC for his vacation. We are doing that for 6 nights and then on to the Poly concierge for 3 more. (still have the limo arranged to pick us up at the YC!! I am waiting until the last minute when my plans are FINALIZED before I call them and change to a Poly pick up!!)

It is hard to put a price on the value of the concierge. $700 more for SL sounds like a lot to me, but that is only because we just use the concierge lounge for bfast - that's about it. While we enjoyed SL, it just didn't wow us like RPC. That is why I would either do RPC for that "wow" factor, or just stick with a garden view room. I really don't think any garden views at the GF are bad. Our garden view SL room was lovely, especially at night with the lamps glowing and pool sparkling.

Let us know what you decide! Check out my countdown!! Woooowoo! Limited days to change my own mind! We are actually trying the Nick hotel for our first night, then Portofino Bay (first Universal trip) for two, then on to WDW. It is going to be a hoppin' trip.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Let us know what you decide! Check out my countdown!! Woooowoo! Limited days to change my own mind! We are actually trying the Nick hotel for our first night, then Portofino Bay (first Universal trip) for two, then on to WDW. It is going to be a hoppin' trip.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Have a great trip! We are doing a split RPC (2 nights) / SL( 5 nights) in June! We are very excited but prone to sticker shock! We loved RPC but don't want to pay Regular Season prices for the whole trip for our June visit - so, we booked SL for the majority of our stay! Let us know how the Nick Hotel is if you can! We are thinking about doing our last night there on our April Vero Beach / HHI trip . Thanks! Have fun!

 

[roryc]

TammiMcMan and Janet2K,

Thanks so much for your informative replies. I have been reading these boards for long enough to know that you're both GF experts and I value your opinions and suggestions greatly.

I know that there is only a slim chance that both my in-laws room and our room would both have castle views. I really think that RPC wherever we're located will be fantastic. I've never stayed at the GF, but I have stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado, on which I think the resort is modeled, and it was truly a deluxe hotel stay that we will not soon forget. Combine that with being adjacent to WDW and I'm sure GF RPC will be pure fantasy

While connecting rooms would be nice, they're not absolutely necessary. I'll have to figure out some way to state my request so that it's not too much:

1st request: Both rooms non-smoking
2nd request: We'd like to be at least within 5 or 6 rooms apart on the same floor if posssible; connecting and/or adjacent would be great, but not critical.
3rd request: Castle view rooms would be fantastic if there's any left after the first 2 requests.

I've chosen RPC because I'm most interested in the convenience to the monorail and the posh accomodations as we will most likely spend a lot of time in our rooms. At least I expect my in-laws will spend a good amount of time there. They're early risers. But they will be in bed each night by 8:30. All of our dinner reservations have to be no later than 5:30. DMIL ,DD(4), myself plan to do the Princess Tea Party one day, so I figure we'll wait and go to the parks (maybe AK??) after tea that day, so we'll have the whole morning to enjoy at GF as well.

And since we're only there for 4 nights (DH is a work-a-holic, and evidently in his mind only...work ceases to function when he's not there). That and DFIL can't stand to be away from the house and the dogs for more than that amount of time because evidently in his mind there's no way they'd still be around when he returned if he were gone for say 5 or 6 nights. Heck, maybe I should just take my 2 DDs, MIL and myself and leave the sticks in the mud at home Okay, that didn't sound very Disney

DDs are 1 and 4 so ILs have said that they'll be glad to babysit at night if our little ones are too tired. Of course, we have to be home by ILs bedtime of 8:30; hence my true desire for a castle view so I can see wishes from our balcony

Anyone else ever have to subsidize their ILs vacation, just because you know they'd never go if they knew the actual price? Really, my ILs could afford to travel anywhere whenever they wanted to, but they don't and I know I'm going to have to tell them it's like $100 a night for RPC or they'll (DFIL specifically) will never want to stay there. DH says it's worth the extra money we'll have to spend to make a memory for them and our girls.

My MIL will just adore the Victorian decorations. I know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for my ILs. They never go anywhere so I really want this trip to be super, fun and as laid back as possible.

Oh well, I'm rambling. I love this thread and check it all the time to see if anyone has any pictures or suggestions that I need to jot down! Thanks everyone!!!

 

[glass slipper girl]

Thank you, Janet, for the pictures! That helps a lot. That room looks VERY spacious! One question...was the sofa there a pull out?

 

[glass slipper girl]

Tripplefigs...we were in Sago Cay in December and really enjoyed it. I felt like the room location was great, the room was spacious and we liked the quiet view outside. I don't like looking out of my window and having a building right in front of me with somone looking out their window right back at me. We were on the back side of Sago so we had a view of a corner of the lagoon and the monorail. GREAT view of the monorail. The boys LOVED that.

GF is definitely our favorite resort to date (though we are excited about trying the CR 14th floor this september). I can't wait to try RPC this summer. I am a bit worried that it will ruin me though! I am only doing it b/c it is just for a 3 day weekend and the cost will be split between 3 of us so it's not as bad.

Here are some pics from our room in Sago...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Have a great trip! We are doing a split RPC (2 nights) / SL( 5 nights) in June! We are very excited but prone to sticker shock! We loved RPC but don't want to pay Regular Season prices for the whole trip for our June visit - so, we booked SL for the majority of our stay! Let us know how the Nick Hotel is if you can! We are thinking about doing our last night there on our April Vero Beach / HHI trip . Thanks! Have fun!

Hi! Yes I will let you know how the Nick hotel is! My kids are more excited about staying there than anything else, LOL! Those Nick commercials suck them in! The thing is, we are arriving at MCO about 11:30 pm and checking into Nick, then checking out in the morn after a character bfast to head to Universal. It is a SHORT stay, mostly to check the place out and see if we would want to book a longer stay in the future. Same thing with PBH. I have been burned before by the unknown resort......I KNOW I LOVE the GF, so that will be my reprieve.

The Poly could go either way. I just upgraded to LVC from GVC this morning, so hope I get my 3rd floor request. I have stayed there twice and have mixed feelings about the Poly. I am hearing you about sticker shock. We usually go to WDW during the value season (August or Jan/Feb). Have been MANY times during spring break in the past, but RPC is super expensive during peak season. We used to love the CR (Kids still do) and that peak season cost was easier to choke down than RPC. Now that I have stayed at the GF, nothing at WDW compares.

Let me know how Vero Beach is. It has been 7 years since we have stayed there. My grandparents used to live in Vero and we would visit a couple times a year and stay at the Disney resort. They have since passed, so we don't have a reason to head that direction anymore but we have good memories.

Happy planning!! Sounds like you have a fun trip coming up, too! (I am loving my countdown!!!! )

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Tripplefigs...we were in Sago Cay in December and really enjoyed it. I felt like the room location was great, the room was spacious and we liked the quiet view outside. I don't like looking out of my window and having a building right in front of me with somone looking out their window right back at me. We were on the back side of Sago so we had a view of a corner of the lagoon and the monorail. GREAT view of the monorail. The boys LOVED that.

GF is definitely our favorite resort to date (though we are excited about trying the CR 14th floor this september). I can't wait to try RPC this summer. I am a bit worried that it will ruin me though! I am only doing it b/c it is just for a 3 day weekend and the cost will be split between 3 of us so it's not as bad.

Here are some pics from our room in Sago...

Thanks for all the advice and especially the pictures. My boys would love seeing the monorail. That was their favorite part of our trip! We did utilize the food at SL on our last trip at breakfast and for dessert every night. The kids loved having cupcakes, hot chocolate at the little table and DH and I loved having a drink. I think we'll stick with SL if the budget allows, but if we need to change I'm going GV and requesting Sago Cay.

Thanks to ALL for the help!

 

[BobsGirl]

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