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

[Tonyspad]

Triple Figs- We are headed down to the GF next December and would love to use the pools and water park. How was the weather? Day time temps??

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi All ,

We're back! We thoroughly enjoyed SL. The Main building was packed every time we tried to walk through that we were glad to go back to our quiet lodge. It was difficult to get by the hoards of people around the gingerbread house and 1900 PF with my stroller. I have never seen the GF so congested.

NOW FOR THE FUNNY PART.

A man sitting on the bench outside of SL tried to pick up my 70 year old mother. She was waiting for us outside of the building. He asked her if she wanted to drink champagne with him. He was around 30 and very GQ looking. We strongly suspect that he was a male escort. I even saw him sitting on the same bench the next day. I guess he makes a decent living hanging around concierge buildings.

Lori

Lori! I am glad you enjoyed SL. I know what you mean about the lobby congestion. We had a hard time navigating it, too, during Thanksgiving. That gingerbread house is a showstopper, though.


Too funny about the male escort! At WDW??!! I guess they really do get all kinds. Now I am rethinking all the times I have kept my comforter on my bed!!! (ick)

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Hi All ,

We're back! We thoroughly enjoyed SL. The Main building was packed every time we tried to walk through that we were glad to go back to our quiet lodge. It was difficult to get by the hoards of people around the gingerbread house and 1900 PF with my stroller. I have never seen the GF so congested.

NOW FOR THE FUNNY PART.

A man sitting on the bench outside of SL tried to pick up my 70 year old mother. She was waiting for us outside of the building. He asked her if she wanted to drink champagne with him. He was around 30 and very GQ looking. We strongly suspect that he was a male escort. I even saw him sitting on the same bench the next day. I guess he makes a decent living hanging around concierge buildings.

Lori

Hi, Lori! It was great meeting you! I agree, I was so glad to get to the quiet SL. The lobby was a madhouse!

 

[triplefigs]

Triple Figs- We are headed down to the GF next December and would love to use the pools and water park. How was the weather? Day time temps??

2 days were hot in the 80's and the rest was cool to cold (upper 60's/low 40's). Although even on the night it was FREEZING there were people swimming. It's heated, so I guess you just freeze when you get out.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Hi, Lori! It was great meeting you! I agree, I was so glad to get to the quiet SL. The lobby was a madhouse!

Denise, it was nice to meet you too. I delivered Eric's Christmas tree to the front desk. I hope he got it.

I met Robert but never worked with Andy. Robert was always laughing and joking around! My fav. CM was Norma, she always had a huge smile on her face and very friendly. Boyd did a great job too.

We loved having the dining plan with concierge. We saved a couple of hundred dollars. We used our ts credits for signature restaurants. California Grill was incredible. The filet was the best steak that I have ever eaten.

Lori

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks, Lori. We had such a good time.

BTW, my kids just watched the Holidays at WDW on the Food Channel with me. Now they are all playing "Grand Floridian" and making Gingerbread houses with their blocks. They keep saying they need more icing and to make chocolate Santas. Think they're hooked too!

 

[AWilliams]

Hi there! It looks like we will be staying at the GF in September and I had a couple of questions. (I've read through quite a bit of this thread and have found lots of great info so far!)

We will be traveling with a 1 1/2 year old and will need a crib in our room. I was thinking a King room might have more space. Does the GF use pack&plays? What room type would you suggest?

Can we request a fridge or do the rooms come with them?

I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way. Thanks in advance!!

Amy

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

The GF has small metal cribs and pack 'n plays.

Enjoy planning!

Lori

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi! Glad you both had such wonderful vacations! Did you all end of giving anything to the Concierge staff if you don't mind me asking. I know you are really not supposed to so I wasn't going to,but since it's Christmas I thought mabye a small basket of S.C. food items might be okay. I guess the planning staff and the on site staff are different so do I get 2 or are they both actually in the same office? If you all (or anyone else!) can give me any insight I would really appreciate it! 2 more days! Main Building is a surprise to DH, DS and DD. They will be so excited! We are celebrating DD's birthday on the 20th! Unfortunately it looks like we'll be having some rain this weekend but oh well - we'll be bringing our ponchos! Thanks again!

 

[princessesrule4]

bump!

 

[triplefigs]

Hi! Glad you both had such wonderful vacations! Did you all end of giving anything to the Concierge staff if you don't mind me asking. I know you are really not supposed to so I wasn't going to,but since it's Christmas I thought mabye a small basket of S.C. food items might be okay. I guess the planning staff and the on site staff are different so do I get 2 or are they both actually in the same office? If you all (or anyone else!) can give me any insight I would really appreciate it! 2 more days! Main Building is a surprise to DH, DS and DD. They will be so excited! We are celebrating DD's birthday on the 20th! Unfortunately it looks like we'll be having some rain this weekend but oh well - we'll be bringing our ponchos! Thanks again!

No, I didn't give them anything, but I am writing a detailed letter and sending it to the GF manager to let him know how wonderful our trip was and how awesome the staff at SL is!

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks Triplefigs!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I gave them a large tin of Moravian Cookies. They are a Christmas treat in our area.

Lori

 

[marcij]

I sent the IPO staff a big basket of Texas goodies. I'm taking some decorated Eleni's cookies with me today, to give any of the concierge staff that go above and beyond the call of duty!

 

[triplefigs]

Boy, maybe I should send 'em a GA snack?

 

[Meezers]

Now Triplefigs...how we gonna carry "bolled" peanuts all the way to Florida....

 

[triplefigs]

Now Triplefigs...how we gonna carry "bolled" peanuts all the way to Florida....

YUCK! I was thinking peach something. There's this yummy peach candy I like. Got any other ideas?

 

[jacksmom]

Hi all! We have a trip booked for March (GV) and would love some room/building suggestions for a room request! This will be our 3rd trip! We have stayed in a tower room in Conch Key and a GV room in Boca Chica! I was wondering about corner rooms or dormer rooms?? Would love suggestions for a great room request! Also, anyone else planning for March? We are soooo excited! We have tried other resorts, but GF is our favorite! :thewave: :thewave:

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Jacksmom! I don't have any room request suggestions for you, but I will be there in March, too!! We will be checking in March 26th for a week. See ya there???

We are staying in the main building this time - it is my hardworking husband's favorite place to stay (yay for me!) and he really needs some vacation. March can't come soon enough. I have only stayed SL or RPC, but I am interested in other buildings, too, as sometimes these concierge stays get expensive and we aren't around the resort too much anyway to take advantage of the amenities.

I agree that the GF is the best!

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[cheerbop]

Have a great time! Don't forget to post a review when you get back!

OK...we are back!

The first day was quite rainy and we had to wait longer than expected for a room. It was a good room but they told us they could move us for nights 2-7 to a different building. they first had us in Sago Cay, which was fine. But, they then moved us to Boca Chica. We booked a Garden and ended up in Boca Chica with a Corner Room Lagoon Castle View! Woohoo! Major Pixie Dust!!
We LOVED this room. It was on a corner and beautiful with great views.
We did have quite a few glitches like a lamp hanging off the wall, which was fixed promptly and our Safe kept going on the fritz and that took 4 trips over 5 days for them to fix it. Those things and a couple of other problems caused them to apologize and they comped us a bit of $$ for our troubles. It really was a hassle a few times, but we tried to take it in stride and not let it ruin our vacation.
We had 2 Queen beds, a nightstand, desk and chair, small table with 2 chairs a daybed, and an armoir with drawers and a TV, wood minibar/fridge. A nice touch in the double vanity sink area is the large wicker hamper to put the used towels, etc.
We really liked the service and each night they set up the boys' stuffed animals in all kinds of cute positions..holding remotes, wearing shower caps, reading books, etc...That was really fun for our kids to see each night!
The front desk was always very friendly and helpful.
LOVE all the touches like Mickeys in the wallpapers and fabrics and lamps. I did miss the Mickey toiletries I like the ones we had but there is just something about the Mickey ones, esp with the kids!

I have always wanted to stay here. I have also stayed at the Poly in Concierge. Although I did like having Concierge service there, I much preferred this room over the Poly Concierge room. We had the Dining plan, so Concierge wasn't really necessary anyways.
We did love the Dining Plan.

I hope to stay at the GF again and would love to stay there with just my hubby and do Spa things etc.

Happy with our stay...
Willing to answer any questions if you all have any!