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

[triplefigs]

I thought it was worth asking here (as I cross my fingers, LOL). Has anyone gotten a AAA or AP discount for Sugar Loaf concierge? I’m hoping they are available.

I had AAA rate over Christmas in Sugar Loaf ($391 before taxes). I had AAA rate for SL again Dec 06 but we just changed it to

AAA RATE RPC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we're taking the plunge and staying RPC!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited and need to email IPO now for our room requests.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had AAA rate over Christmas in Sugar Loaf ($391 before taxes). I had AAA rate for SL again Dec 06 but we just changed it to

AAA RATE RPC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we're taking the plunge and staying RPC!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited and need to email IPO now for our room requests.

THAT is FABULOUS!! Now don't go wishy washy on us and change it!! OK, just curious what room requests?? I just always request MK view, nonsmoking....what am I missing???

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Yea, we're staying RPC for Christmas! We got the AAA rate, so I'm very excited. A couple of questions before I email IPO.

Tammi gave me the room numbers for the Castle view rooms over Gaspys. Are there any other Castle view rooms, or are those the only ones?

The lounge is on the 4th floor? Would the 4th floor be better with kids?

If we can't get Castle view, are there any rooms with a great view of the monorail? That's my kid's favorite part of Disney!

Thanks. And if you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate them.

 

[triplefigs]

THAT is FABULOUS!! Now don't go wishy washy on us and change it!! OK, just curious what room requests?? I just always request MK view, nonsmoking....what am I missing???

Lives4Disney

You're too quick! See my other post for room request info. And no, I'm not changing. I really want to try RPC. I think it will be great the week before Christmas. I'm so excited!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had AAA rate over Christmas in Sugar Loaf ($391 before taxes). I had AAA rate for SL again Dec 06 but we just changed it to

AAA RATE RPC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we're taking the plunge and staying RPC!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited and need to email IPO now for our room requests.

Just double posted somehow!!


Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[theostwalts]

Glad to hear how great it was. We were at the GF in Sugar Loaf Nov 29- Dec 7 this year. How was the week before Christmas? Any tips for that time since it is busier?

Thanks!

Triplefigs, we are planning on going the week after Thanksgiving this year. Can you tell me how that week is and if the Christmas decorations be up. Also wanting to try MVMCP.

 

[triplefigs]

Triplefigs, we are planning on going the week after Thanksgiving this year. Can you tell me how that week is and if the Christmas decorations be up. Also wanting to try MVMCP.

It was awesome. Low crowds, decorations were all up, very festive. We arrived the Tues after Thanksgiving and left the following Wed. We did MVMCP on 12/1 (Thursday) and it was great.

We're going Dec 15-22 this year to avoid the kids missing any school. Christmas time is great, and the Grand Floridian was perfect!

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yea, we're staying RPC for Christmas! We got the AAA rate, so I'm very excited. A couple of questions before I email IPO.

Tammi gave me the room numbers for the Castle view rooms over Gaspys. Are there any other Castle view rooms, or are those the only ones?

The lounge is on the 4th floor? Would the 4th floor be better with kids?

If we can't get Castle view, are there any rooms with a great view of the monorail? That's my kid's favorite part of Disney!

Thanks. And if you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate them.

I have been on the 3rd and 4th floors. Both are just as handy, as the concierge CMs sit on the 3rd and lounge is 4th. I have asked for a castle view 4 times and every time I have had it! Yes those are the rooms over Gaspies that face the marina. GREAT views. There is a nice elevator in the bend of the hallway that we always used to go up/down to the lounge. There are also nice carpeted stairs from the concierge office area up to the lounge. (unlike BWI where you are in the cement fire escape area!! Yuck...hate that place.....Even my kids are checking with me that THAT is NOT where we will be staying....I do not recommend BWI AT ALL...)

I have not contacted the IPO regarding our March stay yet. I do not enjoy emailing them or their responses. They are so dry and unwelcoming. Hope you have better luck than I have had in the past with them.

Happy planning!! You will LOVE it. I have NO regrets about switching back. Must have been temporary insanity to switch out of RPC. It is just so expensive in "peak season" it kind of makes me cringe, but we will just have to slow ourselves down (Now I am considering adding 2 more nights on and changing our flight) and stop and enjoy the resort instead of being park maniacs....we have been to WDW over 30 times!!! You would think we'd be sick of the place! Never.

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

I just emailed IPO (here's my request to them).

I would like to put in a room request for Magic Kingdom View, non-smoking. We would love one of the rooms overlooking Gasparillas and the marina if available (room numbers 4301-4309 and 4401-4409).

I'm excited to be staying RPC! Can't wait to listen to the orchestra, look at the gorgeous tree, people watch, and smell that gingerbread! Oh, and at our local specialty store yesterday I found Chocolate Pfeffer Nusse cookies just like they had in Sugar Loaf. YUMMY! A little piece of the GF at home.

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Can anyone tell me what the room numbers in RPC would be for rooms that overlook the beach and the new pool? And, if they are smoking/non-smoking and if they have daybeds or not? Thanks very much.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can anyone tell me what the room numbers in RPC would be for rooms that overlook the beach and the new pool? And, if they are smoking/non-smoking and if they have daybeds or not? Thanks very much.

I can't find my paperwork from when we stayed in that area, but I believe they range from the 20's to the 30's (4x21-4x30?) There will be an assortment of room styles and decor. We've had one there that had a daybed and one without. Just put in a request with IPO on what you'd like, for example ~ 4th floor, lagoon/beach view, smoking optional, 2 queen beds. Similar to making any request, I would also list what you want by priority. This will let the room assignor know which is most important to you, just in case they can't meet all of your requests.

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Thanks Tammi,
Our stay is at the end of May, and we haven't been contacted by anyone yet. What is IPO, and how do we contact them? E-mail? When would they normally contact us about dinner reservations, etc.?

 

[theostwalts]

We are looking at arriving on November 25th, 2006. This is the last day of regular season. Since we will drive down that day and get their late, I am thinking of booking a regular room only for that night and starting our package on the 26th in RPC. That will save us a little over $1100.00. I am wondering if Sunday vs. Saturday has any difference on requesting a MK view. Also, will they move all of our luggage or should we pack an overnight bag and unload the car the next morning? This will be our first stay at GF and I would love to have some opinions from the GF veterans.

Thanks.

 

[TammiMcMan]

What is IPO, and how do we contact them? E-mail? When would they normally contact us about dinner reservations, etc.?

IPO is the itinerary planning office, also referred to as concierge pre-planning. These are the folks who will make all your ADR's, set up tours, purchase any tickets that you need, arrange for special items. Someone will eventually contact you, but if you know what you want, there's no need to wait. You can drop them an e-mail at wdwgfplanning@disney.com and give them your requests. You can also ask them to send you an updated itinerary anytime that you make an addition or change. It's easier to keep track of everything and it will include confirmation numbers.

 

[princessesrule4]

I just emailed IPO (here's my request to them).

I would like to put in a room request for Magic Kingdom View, non-smoking. We would love one of the rooms overlooking Gasparillas and the marina if available (room numbers 4301-4309 and 4401-4409).

I'm excited to be staying RPC! Can't wait to listen to the orchestra, look at the gorgeous tree, people watch, and smell that gingerbread! Oh, and at our local specialty store yesterday I found Chocolate Pfeffer Nusse cookies just like they had in Sugar Loaf. YUMMY! A little piece of the GF at home.

Triplefigs,
Congrats on your switch! We are planning on being at RPC from the 16th - 21st ! I just have to doublecheck the dates with the school calendar!
I requested MK/castle view and non smoking for our trip last month and we were thrilled to get it! I did email IPO about a week before we arrived to reiterate my requests and I also reconfirmed politely at check in. The MK rooms are the furthest away from the lounge( but well worth it of course) but if you are on the 3rd floor like we were, it is just a small flight of steps up to the 4th floor lounge! My kids enjoyed taking the service elevator which was just down the hall from our room, down to Gasparilla's.You will love RPC at Christmas! We are addicted now!

 

[triplefigs]

Triplefigs,
Congrats on your switch! We are planning on being at RPC from the 16th - 21st ! I just have to doublecheck the dates with the school calendar!
I requested MK/castle view and non smoking for our trip last month and we were thrilled to get it! I did email IPO about a week before we arrived to reiterate my requests and I also reconfirmed politely at check in. The MK rooms are the furthest away from the lounge( but well worth it of course) but if you are on the 3rd floor like we were, it is just a small flight of steps up to the 4th floor lounge! My kids enjoyed taking the service elevator which was just down the hall from our room, down to Gasparilla's.You will love RPC at Christmas! We are addicted now!

That's great! I sure hope it works out and we are there together. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

 

[gidge]

Thats weird, I was talking to Disney person two nights ago to make reservations, and he said you can't see Magic Kingdom from Grand Floridian rooms???? He said you can see firesirks from the tower>? I am so confused....

 

[TammiMcMan]

Thats weird, I was talking to Disney person two nights ago to make reservations, and he said you can't see Magic Kingdom from Grand Floridian rooms???? He said you can see firesirks from the tower>? I am so confused....

Sometimes the CM's are not extremely knowledgable about the resorts. I have no idea what he means by the phrase "tower" .

There are no guaranteed MK views at the GF. You would want to book a lagoon view and then request and MK view.

 

[Steph H]

Triplefigs! What a wonderful trip. The green-with-envy jealousy bus is hitting me over the head today.

Can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[triplefigs]

Triplefigs! What a wonderful trip. The green-with-envy jealousy bus is hitting me over the head today.

Can't wait to hear all about it!!

Thanks. Come join us! BTW, congrats on the new arrival due any time. How wonderful!