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

[alacazander]

Does anyone know if any of the LODGE TOWER ROOMS have views of the MK?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Greetings all,

I just booked our honeymoon at the GF. We'll be getting married August 10, 2006. I went through a AAA Travel Agent and we are staying in a standard room (graden view - king size bed) for 6 nights. We also got 2, 3-day park hoppers and our airfare included for 3100 dollars. Is this a good deal or am I better off booking through Disney myself?

Thanks a bunch everyone!

Hi!! Congratulations on your marriage!!

OK, here goes with my own situation as an example. I am an annual pass holder and can get that room at the GF in value season (August is value season) for about $250/270ish a night, I think. I went last year with my kids during that same time, had my $430 AP, got the AP discount on the room, flew Southwest (I live in NW IL).....We didn't do a garden view room, but I kind of remember the quote choices and I know they were in the mid to upper 200s/night.

I think you are getting an OK deal, but it wouldn't hurt to look into things yourself. There are a few variables.... I am not sure what the 2006 value season rate for GF garden view is exactly - or what the AP savings will be. You can find out on the WDW website what the GF rates are during that time of year. Typically the AP will save you $75 to $90 a night at a deluxe resort. I have gone twice in August & done the SWA for about $110/person round trip both times. (good deal)

If you wanted to invest in an AP for the room discount, it may be a good deal and you will get more park time than with the 3 day pass. Maybe just one AP for the room discount and the other ticket could be a hopper if the cost is significantly less. (You may have such a great time that you want to return again, though and AP is handy to have!) Also, in August, it is SOOOOO hot & humid, we always do a few hours in the early morn (as early as we can) and then go relax at the pool and inside until dusk. We go have dinner and do more park in the dark. It may take you more than 3 park days to do and see what you want. The heat of FL in summer just drains and exhausts.

Based on last years rates, the room would be about $2K or less with an AP discount, the flight $225 or less on SWA, the one adult AP is $430, not sure how much a 3 day hopper is.

Good luck & happy planning - The Grand Floridian is our favorite resort - You made a great choice with that one!

Lives4Disney

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Does anyone know if any of the LODGE TOWER ROOMS have views of the MK?

No. They all have courtyard views, with the exception of Sago Cay, which is Marina view.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Poohluvrs, if you mean the suites, then B1 is in the main building and B4 is located in Sugar Loaf. There are no dormer rooms in the main building, unless one of the suites comes with a vaulted ceiling. I've only stayed in a turret suite on the 5th floor and I don't recall it having that type of ceiling.

Chemteacher, just be aware that the king bed is only a request at the GF. It can only be guaranteed if you book a honeymoon room (located in the main building with concierge service). I wanted to mention it because of a post I read not too long ago. It was a similar situation, where it sounded like AAA might have told them that they would definitely get a king bed. It's only a request in a standard room. As for the price, you can try checking out the airfare on your own. I usually have pretty good luck finding discounts and a flight schedule that I'm comfortable with. Sometimes packages do work out to be less expensive and other times, your paying simply for the convenience of not having to book everything on your own.

 

[alacazander]

No. They all have courtyard views, with the exception of Sago Cay, which is Marina view.

Thank you! I didn't think so but wanted to check.

Another question I have is do any of the Sugar Loaf rooms have views of the castle? From the way the building is located I wouldn't think so but thought i'd ask.

Thanks again!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Another question I have is do any of the Sugar Loaf rooms have views of the castle? From the way the building is located I wouldn't think so but thought i'd ask.

If you have a marina room that's located on the end of Sugar Loaf closer to Gasparilla's, you might be able to see the fireworks. Other than that though, there is no view of the castle from that building.

 

[BCV23]

Actually, I think it is the middle rooms on the marina side that afford the best view of the fireworks....or did anyway. This section of rooms juts out a bit. Twice we had rooms there that afforded a very good view of the fireworks.

But our last stay in Sugar Loaf was Dec/Jan. 2003 and I think that was pre-Wishes. In Wishes, the lower fireworks are centered around the casle and I don't know how much you could see of them. The higher fireworks are probably still well visible because they seem to still come from the same location as the previous fireworks.

 

[YCFAN]

Without going through 104 pages...does anyone have the phone number for private dining at GF? Thanks!

 

[triplefigs]

Without going through 104 pages...does anyone have the phone number for private dining at GF? Thanks!

I posted on your other thread.

 

[matsterrocks]

Is turn down service standard or do you have to request it?

 

[BCV23]

Is turn down service standard or do you have to request it?

It is standard. I especially enjoy the little card that is left with a bedtime message.

 

[Tinks]

Is turndown standard for all rooms? I thought it was standard for concierge levels -- not for non-concierge. I thought if you were not concierge you needed to request it. Am I mistaken?

 

[BCV23]

At the GF it is still standard in all rooms.

It used to be so at the other deluxes but some years back that did change to concierge rooms only unless you requested it.

But turndown is still for all rooms at the GF.

 

[alacazander]

Which building to request for a MK view? Not the main building (did that last trip)/

I saw Janet2K pictures of Conch Key and they look fabulous. Does anyone know what the room numbers would be on the end of Conch Key?


Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

The MK view from Conch Key is wonderful. We've enjoyed it twice.

But you don't really need room numbers as all lagoon view rooms in Conch Key face the MK. You would just book lagoon view and request Conch Key. Of course, I'm sure many who book lagoon view have that same request. And there are not that many lagoon views in Conch Key. Most rooms in that building are actually garden view and face either the courtyard or marina.

Good luck!

 

[Janet2k]

Here is the link to the on-line version of the WDW Vacation Planning Video: click here. Once you’re on that webpage, click on the RESORTS button. The webpage will rearrange itself and some new buttons regarding the Resorts will appear. Put your mouse over the Disney Deluxe Resorts Overview and select “Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.” A video window will open and the Grand Floridian video will begin to play.

It’s a nice way to experience a little bit of Disney magic without leaving the comfort of your home.

 

[Tinks]

A new question for you guys: If you are staying in the main building, is there a way to get to the newer pool without parading through the lobby in your swimsuit? Is there a side entrance that leads out toward that pool or do you go out the back and walk around....

inquiring minds want to know.......

Thanks!

 

[Mister Disney]

A new question for you guys: If you are staying in the main building, is there a way to get to the newer pool without parading through the lobby in your swimsuit? Is there a side entrance that leads out toward that pool or do you go out the back and walk around....

inquiring minds want to know.......

Thanks!

Its a bit of a haul...but you can go down the side wing hallway and take the back elevator down to the first floor and exit right outside.

A bit far of a jaunt for my tastes. Bring some nice bath robes or something if you don't want to parade in the swim suits.

Maybe someone knows another route, but thats the only route i can think of outside of the main lobby

 

[Janet2k]

Tinks, for guests in the Main Building on floors 3, 4, and 5, there are two sets of elevators to choose from. The main elevator (which has two elevator cars) is found in the concierge lounge area. The secondary elevator (which only has one elevator car) is found further down the hall, towards the portion of the building that faces the marina. This secondary elevator is the one that guests on the second floor’s honeymoon rooms use. This elevator opens up on the first floor near Gasparilla Grill.

My family primarily uses the secondary elevator whenever we’re heading to the swimming pools. As I mentioned, it opens up on the first floor near Gasparilla Grill. We exit the building there and head towards the swimming pool of our choice.

If you don’t want to walk through the lobby in your beach cover-up, then you could always take the main elevator to the second floor, get off there and walk towards the main staircase / birdcage elevator and use either one of those to go down to the first floor. There is a set of exterior doors right there that you would use to exit the building -- no need to walk through the lobby in your beach cover-up.

There is always a third option, but I’ve never used it at the Grand Floridian. The fire escape stairways all lead down to the first floor. You could use one of those when you’re heading to the pool. My guess is that a room key is required to gain entrance to those stairways upon your return to the building. I have used the stairways at the Animal Kingdom Lodge a few times when I was heading to its swimming pool (the stairways are especially handy when staying in one of the “fingers” of the Lodge and the elevators are located too far away).

I’m glad you brought up the Grand Floridian’s swimming pools. I am in the process of planning my family’s next WDW vacation and the Grand Floridian will be a part of it. My favorite thing to do at the Grand is to hang around the swimming pools. It’s my nirvana. Thanks for making me think of nirvana. Ahhhhhh…

 

[Tinks]

Thanks for the insight, guys.