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

[princessesrule4]

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

We stayed 1 night at PBH and really enjoyed it! (We do the 1 night thing too!) They asked if it was our first stay and when we said "yes" they upgraded us to a Deluxe room overlooking the pool! We had never gotten an upgrade before! The staff from Bellman to Housekeeping were so nice and my kids loved the pool! The boat to the parks was great and the rooms were gorgeous! We ate at the parks but I've heard that they have really good restaurants at PBH ,especially the Italian one. We went at an uncrowded time so mabye that's why we got so much special attention, but we had a wonderful stay! As for the Poly, we did LVC for the first time and it was worth every penny! Of course it helps that we got an AP discount! GF is still our favorite but we did like alot of things about the Poly - like watching WISHES from the lounge with the piped in music, walking to the TTC,the view of the castle and most importantly, the pineapple bread! We also enjoyed the nightly offerings such as pulled pork and chicken lo mein! The kids loved the Volcano pool,too! You will have a great time! It is definitely a great resort, just different from the GF.
This is our first time to VB resort - my grandparents used to live there too! They have passed away also and this is my first trip back so it will be bittersweet. We booked an Ocean view Inn room and we are really looking forward to a fun visit! We go to HHI a lot because we are just up the coast an hour or so, but we thought it would be fun to try Vero for 3 nights. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Hi all GF fans,
We just booked our first stay at the GF, a last minute trip for this month in a garden view room. We're very excited to be staying here. We have two boys and I didn't think there was a playground here but I was just reading the AAA Florida book and it said there was a playground-- anyone know?
Thanks!

 

[ParkPrincess]

Hi all GF fans,
We just booked our first stay at the GF, a last minute trip for this month in a garden view room. We're very excited to be staying here. We have two boys and I didn't think there was a playground here but I was just reading the AAA Florida book and it said there was a playground-- anyone know?
Thanks!

We were just there and did not see nor hear about a playground. I just looked at the map of the property that they give you when you check-in and did not see anything listed on there regarding a playground.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

We were just there and did not see nor hear about a playground. I just looked at the map of the property that they give you when you check-in and did not see anything listed on there regarding a playground.

Several other sites say it is located outside of the Mouseketeer Clubhouse

 

[triplefigs]

Several other sites say it is located outside of the Mouseketeer Clubhouse

There is no playground. I asked before our trip in December. The closest one is at the CR via the monorail.

 

[Janet2k]

The following information was stated inside the All Ears® newsletter:

- - - - - - -

Poolside cabanas are being tested now through April 30, 2006, at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa's themed beachside pool. Each cabana can accommodate up to six comfortably, and features the following:

-- two padded chaise lounges
-- two padded straight-backed chairs
-- a 22-inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
-- Sirius Satellite Radio
-- phone for internal resort calls
-- mini-refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water
-- complimentary fruit basket

You can rent a cabana for the morning (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) or the evening (3 - 7 p.m.) for $60. Cost for renting a cabana for an entire day is $110. Private dining and poolside massages are available at an additional cost. Cabanas must be reserved through the Grand Floridian. You must be staying at the Grand Floridian on the date of your cabana reservation -- you cannot reserve a cabana if you are staying at another resort. No discounts are available, and cabana rental is not included in any packages at this time.
- - - - - - -

It appears that I just might get my wish for a "Poolside" category room after all.

 

[Janet2k]

While I was on the phone with WDW-DINE the other day, I learned that the price is increasing for the "My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party." The new price will be $225 (plus tax, including gratuity) for one child and one adult. When I attended a "pilot program" of the event a few years ago, the price was $200 (plus tax, including gratuity) for one child and one adult (click here to read my review of the event).

Here is what is currently stated on the official WDW website (note: the old pricing is still listed):

- - - - - - -
My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party

Put on your tiara and be a part of this fun- and fantasy-filled tea party for you and your little princess - hosted by Rose Petal*, an enchanted rose who delights in storytelling and sing-a-longs. Girls are encouraged to attend dressed up in their favorite Princess attire and receive the royal treatment as they sip tea and enjoy a special visit from Princess Aurora*.

Young princesses also:

* Receive a special 18" My Disney Girl doll dressed in a matching Princess Aurora gown plus accessories.
* Take home their own ribbon tiara, silver Princess link bracelet, fresh rose, special princess scrapbook set and a "Best Friend" certificate.

Menu Items:

The adult menu includes Garden View specialty teas and a luncheon plate that consists of:

* Egg salad sandwiches
* Chicken-Almond salad sandwich
* Blue Cheese Barquette
* Smoked Cheddar cheese
* Sage Derby Cheese
* Lavosh (flat bread)
* Grapes
* A slice of princess cake

The kids menu consists of:

* Peanut Butter & Jelly Hearts
* Grapes
* Apple Juice
* A slice of princess cake

Cost:

* One adult and one child (ages 3-11): $200 (plus tax, including gratuity)
* One additional adult: $65 (plus tax)
* One additional child: $135 (plus tax)
* Location: Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Garden View Tea Lounge

Dates: Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday – Friday

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Daily

Call (407) 939-6397† to make your Tea Party reservations.

*Subject to change without notice.
- - - - - - -

I’m sorry that I didn’t ask WDW-DINE when the new pricing goes into effect. If anyone knows that information, please post it.

 

[Janet2k]

One question...was the sofa there a pull out?

No, the sofa was not a sofa sleeper.

 

[WDWINJUNE!]

Hello everyone,

My DH2B and I are excited to be spending 4 nights after our wedding at the Grand Floridian. We are booked with a lagoon view. We need some advice on which section to request....Thanks in advance for any suggestions Only 25 more days until the wedding...we can't wait!

Laura

 

[jockey]

Just subscribing

 

[jacksmom]

The following information was stated inside the All Ears® newsletter:

- - - - - - -

Poolside cabanas are being tested now through April 30, 2006, at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa's themed beachside pool. Each cabana can accommodate up to six comfortably, and features the following:

-- two padded chaise lounges
-- two padded straight-backed chairs
-- a 22-inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
-- Sirius Satellite Radio
-- phone for internal resort calls
-- mini-refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water
-- complimentary fruit basket

You can rent a cabana for the morning (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) or the evening (3 - 7 p.m.) for $60. Cost for renting a cabana for an entire day is $110. Private dining and poolside massages are available at an additional cost. Cabanas must be reserved through the Grand Floridian. You must be staying at the Grand Floridian on the date of your cabana reservation -- you cannot reserve a cabana if you are staying at another resort. No discounts are available, and cabana rental is not included in any packages at this time.
- - - - - - -

It appears that I just might get my wish for a "Poolside" category room after all.

We will be there in 2 weeks and I would love to do this! Does anyone know how to book one, or if you can do it in advance?? I would love to have some more info!

 

[Janet2k]

My DH2B and I are excited to be spending 4 nights after our wedding at the Grand Floridian. We are booked with a lagoon view. We need some advice on which section to request....

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, WDWINJUNE. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

I would suggest adding a "Cinderella Castle View" request to your room reservation since you've booked a Lagoon View room. If you get one of those rooms, you'll love falling asleep as the castle changes colors, ~sigh.~

Also consider requesting a "dormer" room. I stayed in a dormer room two years ago and it was lovely: click here to view some photos. I did not request a dormer room, but was thankful that one was given to me. The dormer rooms are found on the top floors of the lodge buildings.

I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Janet2K, thanks for the info on the cabana's. I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before they tried out an option like this. I think the Hard Rock and Portofino offer something very similar at their resorts. We have always been lucky enough to get a cabana in the past, but I like the option of reserving one and the added amenities.

Jacksmom, sounds like you should probably call the GF directly, 407-824-3000. Please let us know what information you find out.

 

[Janet2k]

Does anyone know how to book one, or if you can do it in advance?? I would love to have some more info!

I would love to have some more info, too. Hopefully, someone will chime in with some soon.

My guess is that the Grand Floridian will initially handle their cabana rentals in a specific manner since it is in a “pilot program” mode and they’ll want to monitor it closely. By the time the program is fully implemented (that is, if they decide to implement it as a permanent feature), it might be handled in an entirely different manner. Only time will tell.

Here are a few of my uneducated guesses as to how the booking process might be handled…

For those guests who are concierge guests, you would simply ask the concierge to reserve a cabana for you. For those non-concierge guests, the Grand Floridian might ask you to call a specific telephone number for the cabana bookings. Or maybe they’ll allow their Lobby Concierge to handle the cabana bookings. Also, since there is a small gift shop at the pool, a Cast Member stationed there might handle the bookings. Again, these are just a few of my uneducated guesses. Hopefully, someone will chime in with the official booking process for the pilot program.

I never thought I was the “cabana” type since I’m such a fish and spend the majority of my time in the water. But last summer Nutz4dzny booked a cabana at the Hotel del Coronado during our two families’ Southern California vacations. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using the cabana. It really made for a lovely day at the pool. Everyone lunched together in the cabana, our husbands enjoyed napping there, and our sons enjoyed using their laptops there (our sons didn’t feel like swimming and the hotel had high-speed network access at the pool). I don’t know if the Grand Floridian is going to have high-speed network access at its pool, but I certainly hope so.

By the way, if the Grand Floridian would make their cabana rentals a 24-hour type of thing, I could honestly see spending my entire vacation in a cabana instead of in a resort room.

 

[Lives4Disney]

POOL CABANAS - I booked one today thru the concierge for our March trip. It is for March 29th for the 3 pm time slot (anybody want to drop by for a pina colada?? ), so at least we know they can be booked in advance. They didn't take my credit card number but did give me a confirmation number. I did this thru email with a request for the date and time so I am sorry I don't have any more info. I tried to phone, but never got thru & finally left a message but the email route worked vs the phone.

There is no internet access as was posted on another thread.

I have no clue what to expect of these new cabanas other than what was posted, so it will be kind of fun to see what they are like. Ours is reserved for a Wednesday, but we arrive the Sunday before. I am thinking we are going to be bummed Sun thru Tuesday that we don't have one! (Or we will see them and think it's a waste of money and be able to cancel ) Actually with all our other plans and ADRs Wednesday was the only time we could fit it in!!

Anyway - sorry not too much info. It would have been better to speak to somebody on the phone. I will ask questions tomorrow if I can get thru to preorder some treats for our room.

Lives4Disney

 

[Janet2k]

Lives4Disney, thank you for the information. If you find out anything further, please share it with us here in the FAQ thread. Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[WDWINJUNE!]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, WDWINJUNE. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

I would suggest adding a "Cinderella Castle View" request to your room reservation since you've booked a Lagoon View room. If you get one of those rooms, you'll love falling asleep as the castle changes colors, ~sigh.~

Also consider requesting a "dormer" room. I stayed in a dormer room two years ago and it was lovely: click here to view some photos. I did not request a dormer room, but was thankful that one was given to me. The dormer rooms are found on the top floors of the lodge buildings.

I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon.

Janet2k~Thank you so much for the well wishes

I will definitely be requesting a castle view..the castle will be such a romantic site to fall asleep to Your pictures were wonderful...Thanks for sharing them!

Laura

 

[Docsknotinn]

I have a reservation for Aug27-Sept s in a LV room. I am thinking about switching to a CL room. Has anyone requested a King CL room or know how many king Concierge rooms there are (Not in the Lodge) and what the view is???

 

[jacksmom]

I was able to book a pool cabana today! You can call 407-wdw-play to book! We got ours for March 25th! We are really excited! They really sound great!

 

[Minnie824]

Hi...I just started trying to read all 107 pages of this thread. I don't actually have time right now, but I do have a few questions. We have the RPC booked for the Sat after Thanksgiving for 6 nights.
1) what are the offerings of the RPC? Any pictures?
2) Any pictures of the rooms or views there?
3) Does the concierge contact us with an itinerary? We stayed at BC Concierge last year, they sent out a planner for us to fill out. Does GF do that as well, or do I need to contact them first? If I need to contact them, who do I contact?

Thats all I can think of for now...thanks for any info!